March 11, 2010: The government said yesterday that it had decided to begin discussions with the European Commission for the restoration of GSP Plus concessions that were withdrawn last month.
“A four-member delegation will depart next Wednesday for Brussels for this purpose,” said Minister Professor G. L Peiris, Cabinet Spokesman.
The European Commission withdrew GSP Plus concessions last month, due to several shortcomings where the human rights situation in Sri Lanka was concerned.
The suspension is scheduled to take effect from August.
Meanwhile the EU stated that if the Sri Lanka government agreed to a set of measures related to human rights, the decision could be changed.
Addressing the media, Minister Professor G. L Peiris disclosed that the government had decided to begin discussions with the EU.
The four-member delegation consisting of the Secretaries of the Ministries of Finance, Foreign Affairs and Justice and the Attorney General, will meet the European Commission in this regard.
