Govt taking all steps to secure GSP Plus

Nadira Gunatilleke and Rajmi Manatunga

Colombo: The Government yesterday assured that it will take all steps to ensure the extension of the GSP Plus concession provided to Sri Lanka by the European Union. Addressing the weekly Cabinet media briefing, Export Development and International Trade Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris said that making an application for the extension of the concession in haste will not be in the best interest of the country.

"During the last two weeks, certain parties tried to mislead the public that the Government has neglected its obligation in delaying Sri Lanka's application for GSP+ extension.

"I was amazed to hear such wrong information. Applications for GSP+ extension can be made until October 31. Therefore, we have five whole months to make a comprehensive application," he said.

Prof. Peiris said the Government was having regular discussions with representatives of the EU regarding the continuation of GSP+ and that it would be foolish to hastily submit an application without having regard to their suggestions.

A top level EU delegation is due to arrive in Sri Lanka next week to hold discussions with State institutions including the Foreign Ministry, Justice Ministry and the Attorney General's Department in this regard.

"The EU and Sri Lanka have the closest possible relationship. Accordingly, Brussels continues to make very constructive suggestions as to how Sri Lanka could make the best use of GSP+. These suggestions are extremely valuable and our application for extension will be prepared making maximum use of these recommendations".

According to the Minister, not one of the 15 countries currently benefiting from the GSP+ concession has submitted their application for the extension of the concession yet. "This application is not a matter of two or three pages.

It should be a comprehensive dossier setting out as to how our country has complied with the standards required to be eligible for GSP+. We can submit the application even tomorrow morning.

But doing so will not be in the interest of the country," he said. Prof. Peiris said it was the earnest desire of the EU to see Sri Lanka benefit from GSP+, and not to push the Sri Lankan masses to poverty by taking off the concession.

He also emphasised that the EU has made no express or implied suggestion to amend the Sri Lankan Constitution, during discussions on GSP+, although such proposals have come from other quarters.

Asked whether the recent loss of Sri Lanka's seat in the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) would affect the country's chances of getting the GSP+ extended, the Minister said the UNHRC and GSP+ were two separate issues.

"The EU has a set of standards of its own to determine a country's eligibility to receive GSP+. Ratifying and practically implementing at least 27 international treaties is one of them. Although the human rights situation is also a criterion, the loss of the UNHRC seat is not an indicator of human rights violations," he added.

The GSP+ concession has submitted their application for the extension of the concession yet. “This application is not a matter of two or three pages.

It should be a comprehensive dossier setting out as to how our country has complied with the standards required to be eligible for GSP+. We can submit the application even tomorrow morning.

But doing so will not be in the interest of the country,” he said. Prof. Peiris said it was the earnest desire of the EU to see Sri Lanka benefit from GSP+, and not to push the Sri Lankan masses to poverty by taking off the concession.

He also emphasised that the EU has made no express or implied suggestion to amend the Sri Lankan Constitution, during discussions on GSP+, although such proposals have come from other quarters.

Asked whether the recent loss of Sri Lanka’s seat in the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) would affect the country’s chances of getting the GSP+ extended, the Minister said the UNHRC and GSP+ were two separate issues.

“The EU has a set of standards of its own to determine a country’s eligibility to receive GSP+. Ratifying and practically implementing at least 27 international treaties is one of them. Although the human rights situation is also a criterion, the loss of the UNHRC seat is not an indicator of human rights violations,” he added.