Lanka seeks reversal of EU move

16 February 2010 11:27 am - 15 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The Sri Lanka Government is seeking a reversal of the EU decision to temporarily suspend the GSP Plus facility to the country and will engage with the EU over the next six months in an attempt to achieve this goal.

The Sri Lankan Foreign Ministry, in a statement over the GSP plus withdrawal, said that the Sri Lankan government is confident that the EU and its Member States would, during the process of engagement, pay due attention to the manifold challenges yet faced by Sri Lanka, as a democracy that fought a decisive battle against terrorism.

“The Sri Lanka Government is hopeful that the unbroken engagement with the EU, would result in the timely reversal of the temporary suspension, thereby enabling the people of Sri Lanka to continue to draw on the GSP+ facility for their economic empowerment, including for the post-conflict recovery and rehabilitation of the North and of the East,” the Foreign Ministry said.

The Sri Lankan government notes that it values her longstanding relations with the EU. Sri Lanka will therefore continue her engagement with the EU in the upcoming 6 months with a view to sensitizing the European side through a constructive dialogue, concerning both the rapid, demonstrable and sustainable progress that has been gained since the end of the conflict situation, as well as the further steps that would be taken in that direction.

The Government also pointed out that the purposefulness of such an engagement would be considerably heightened, if both parties were to act with sincerity and in a manner respectful of one another. The setting of unattainable targets and the shifting of goal posts will only hamper the efforts of the parties. The engagement will also need to be sensitive to the sovereign prerogative of the people of Sri Lanka, to chart their nation’s course. (Daily Mirror online)

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Comments - 15

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 12:30 PM

Its not big-deal,Restore democracy. Simple.

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 12:38 PM

What ???where is the arrogance we saw during the presidential election. This man said they are not bothered about this GSP+ given by para suddas. Now our patriots are begging those suddas. What ashame. No wonder these suddas dont respect us anymore.

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 12:45 PM

MR louding & clearly said , at a rally during his campaign that he does not care even if he loses GSP plus?
He used these words to win the votes of the poor garment factory girl.
So why cry now????????????
MR's foreign policy is horrible & foreign minister is an idiot.Both made we Sri Lanka too as idiots.
Learn a lesson from yesterdays mistakes & try a different way to re-establish a cordial relationship with the west. Do not only depend on the east/iran ect.

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 12:49 PM

Why now ................... heard a Politician on TV say that only the +2 is lost .......... so it does not matter!!!!!!!!!

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 01:11 PM

First there was talks about challenging the decision of EU, now wanted to convince EU to rethink over the decision! You can fool the SL people via the Govt. media and the talks of conspiracies and nationalism from Gota and MR. Hard proves are required and no bla.. bla. Why don't the GoSL try to return to democracy and work together with other democratic countries?

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 01:29 PM

So they want the GSP after all...... At one point they said it would not matter if it was removed.

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 01:29 PM

Why can't we threaten EU with invasion .THEY will put their tail between the legs and will say please please, we will give anything you want. For further advice ask WIMAL

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 01:30 PM

To dialogue with nations that respect human rights do the following:
(1) Get rid of MR + Brothers
(2) Get rid of the hangers on to the MR party - the cause of all the problems in SL
(3) Recognize plurality and human rights.
Then open the dialogue.

Otherwise keep suffering. The developed world is aware of the nonsense practiced by the SL govt against its citizens.

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 01:31 PM

RESTORE DEMOCRACY.

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 01:32 PM

we are living in europe and will put more pressure to eu for democracy in sri lanka ,as we did to ltte , why now u want gsp

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 01:38 PM

Our Sri Lankan politicians forget what they utter. B'cos quite a month before, when this subject was raised our ministers told that we no need to depend on this GSP+. Now why they beg?

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 01:43 PM

Why we need to bother. G L peiris will give his expertise on how to sue the EU for suspending GSP+. Wimal Weerawansa will give his expertise on removing the EU plug.

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 01:50 PM

WHAT A DEAL.?????????????????
RELEASE SF FIRST AND YOU WILL BE FORGIVEN, AND GSP+ WILL BE GRANTED. STOP THE WITCH HUNT IMMEDIATELY, and proceed on THE RIGHT PATH.

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 01:53 PM

well, remember dear coolman "pride falls before destruction".....

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 09:41 PM

Why 'waste' time? Ask G.L to file his case against the EU?

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Lanka seeks reversal of EU move

Comments - 15

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