EU still hopeful on GSP

13 August 2010 08:11 am

By Jamila Najmuddin

While the GSP+ trade concessions from the European Union to Sri Lanka ends on Sunday, the EU says it is still open for discussions with the Sri Lankan government on renewing the benefits

Speaking to Daily Mirror online EU’s Ambassador in Colombo Bernard Savage said that they remained hopeful that Colombo would respond after a deadlock in talks lead to the suspension of the trade concessions. “We have told the Sri Lankan government we are willing to have discussions with them even after the August 15 deadline. The EU is still open for negotiations,” Ambassador Savage said.

The government cut all its dialogue with the EU over the GSP+ concessions in July after the European Commission demanded for written submissions on 15 conditions laid down by them.

Some of the conditions laid down have been the implementation of the 17th amendment and an extension of an invitation to several UN Procedures who have requested to visit Sri Lanka.

The government since then has said it will not play into unfair demands by the EU and the country’s economy was prepared to face the suspension of the facility. (Daily Mirror online)