Sri Lanka rejects EU investigation for GSP + extension

(October 24, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) Sri Lanka will not be part of a process that comes in the form of an investigation on the extension of the GSP + facility to Sri Lanka, observed Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama during his discussions today (24th October 2008) with the Ambassador of France, Michel Lummaux. France is the current Chair of the European Union (EU). He further reiterated that the route of an investigation to assess Sri Lanka’s compliance on the requisites for extension of this facility would not be accepted and therefore an alternative process should be found.

Minister Bogollagama pointed out that Sri Lanka has conformed to all the requirements and nothing had changed since the commencement of according this facility. He observed, however, that the noble objective of the GSP + facility will be negated judging from the communications Sri Lanka has received from the EC, which seem to allude to the establishment of punitive measures. He stated that examination of conformity on the part of Sri Lanka in the review process should not be judged in the context of extraneous political issues. The Minister also informed that Sri Lanka looks forward to continuing its engagement with the EU at the highest level.

Ambassador Lummaux confirmed that he understood Sri Lanka’s sentiments against the investigative review process and that France will follow a purely technical analysis on Sri Lanka’s response to the criteria. He pointed out that the GSP + facility was formulated as an incentive for sustainable development in developing countries and therefore, France wishes to have Sri Lanka’s application for its extension treated fairly. The Ambassador also emphasized that France would not take a position of using this review process as a punitive measure, as it would only affect the poorest segment of Sri Lankan society. He undertook to convey Sri Lanka’s position to his capital. - Sri Lanka Guardian