EC considering latest developments

16 February 2010 09:36 am - 19 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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By Jamila Najmuddin

The European Commission says the latest developments in Sri Lanka have been taken into consideration when deciding on the GSP+ concession for the country and insisted that there needs to be more improvements on Sri Lanka’s human rights situation.

The government in recent times has insisted that the EU should take into consideration the post war developments on deciding on the GSP+ and not the incidents which took place during the conflict.

However a Spokesperson at the European Commission’s Department of Trade in Brussels speaking to Daily Mirror Online said that all recent developments, even the incidents after the war had been taken into consideration before announcing its decision to withdraw the GSP+ benefits from Sri Lanka.

The Spokesperson added that the EU had launched its own investigations from 2008 and the decision to withdraw the GSP+ benefits from Sri Lanka had been taken in line with the proposal of the European Commission of December 2009.

“This is a fairly recent time and within this period there seems to have been little change in the country’s human rights violations. From 2006 to 2008 our observations were based on reports by the UN and other NGO’s which means we have been observing for quite some time,” the Spokesperson said.

However despite the temporary decision to withdraw the GSP+ facility which comes into effect in six months, the Spokesperson said that it will continue to engage with the Sri Lankan government pushing for the implementation of GSP+ relevant human rights conventions. “We will take all sort of steps to see what can be achieved within the next six months in Sri Lanka,” the Spokesperson said.

The EU in a statement released on Monday evening said that it will closely monitor and regularly re-evaluate developments in Sri Lanka and once sufficient progress has been made, the Commission will propose to EU Member States that the decision to withdraw be reversed and GSP+ benefits restored.

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Comments - 19

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 01:14 PM

don't you see you are being betrayed by a single family? and the whole nation is robed of its democratic rights?

Wednesday, 17 February 2010 11:17 AM

oh yeah, he is the father of all the goondas of this nation and the saviour of all his kith and kin for many generations. nepotism stupid.

Wednesday, 17 February 2010 10:26 AM

we know y they not giving GSP + any more. they need the scarecrows who are dancing to their verse. we don't need white ghosts to this country. we can stand on our feet.

Wednesday, 17 February 2010 06:26 AM

If EU do not want our quality products for cheap price, let them to buy somewhere else. Why worry? We must find another market. Caravan must move forward.

Wednesday, 17 February 2010 06:07 AM

EU you are making serious mistake ,if you do not give it we will send our WHITE VAN squad.

Wednesday, 17 February 2010 03:13 AM

the srilanka is not save for their life. no law and orders in ountry. ministers are immoralthe election is afake.

Wednesday, 17 February 2010 03:09 AM

the presidental election is fake and bogus.

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 02:48 PM

Now Bogolls can tour Europe for 6 months to engage in talks with EU nations and make a patriotic struggle against the imperialist trade forces.

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 02:15 PM

Good to know that at least some people care about the massive corruption, abuse of power and nepotism that is taking place in Srilanka.

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 01:44 PM

Mahinda & Co never listened to all the western clowns came in a procession to stop the war. Here is the pay back. No regime change, no GSP+

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 09:49 AM

The more the EU considers Sri Lanka's case the more they will be convinced that SL should not get the GSP+ benifts. Hopefully the Government will even at this late stage, rectify the short comings, so that the people of this country will not suffer the adverse effects of the withdrawl of the GSP+ facility.

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 12:20 PM

"NATO"....! "No Action Talk Only".... For how long have you EU folks been saying this...???

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 11:18 AM

One does not betray one's Country for GSP or that matter for Nothing.

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 10:41 AM

Latest developments...mean if SF won ..no withdrawal of GSP + is it?

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 10:36 AM

Electioneering!

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 10:15 AM

I hope for the sake of development the govt implements what is reqd in order to retain this facility. We need more markets to open up in order to improve our standard of living. Govt spending on infrastructure alone will not provide sustained incomes for our folk. I regret to note that the rulers have shown no willingness to behave in a civilised manner.

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 10:10 AM

We dont need GSP concessions from the EU!! Why should we beg for this concession when our exporters can without any problem export the goods that they manufacture to anyof these following countries with which our president HR Mahinda Rajapaksa has established good relations- Iran, Libya, Myanmar, Chine & Russia! These five countries will buy all the products that would otherwise go to the EU!

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 09:57 AM

Who cares?? MR will take care of us. He is the father of our nation and the saviour of our motherland!!

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 09:55 AM

MR we don't need the white skins anyway they hate you for being a cool leader in sarongs. We have greater friends now I am sure CHINA, RUSSIA and the other countries who is also hated by the USA will be enough for us to survive. Our government Ministers believe that you wil bring our Nation to a point that no other country can ever think of. I am sure you will make ADOLF HITLER / MUGABE etc., etc., to get shell shock. JAYWEVA APE MAHA RAJUTA.

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EC considering latest developments

Comments - 19

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