The Foreign Ministry says that Sri Lankans are having constructive engagement with the European Commission on the review of its EU GSP + compliance with the 27 core International Conventions.
Towards this end, the Third Cycle of Review of the EU GSP + Monitoring Process for 2020-2021 is ongoing, Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena said while briefing Chargé d’Affaires of the Delegation of the European Union in Colombo Thorsten Bargfrede, as well Colombo-based EU Ambassadors / Chargé d’Affaires from France, Italy, Romania, Germany and the Netherlands, on the Sri Lanka Government’s position on this issue, at a meeting convened at the Foreign Ministry on Monday.
The Government has, in accordance with its constitutional mandate and international obligations, taken steps to protect the rights of all its citizens. The Government has also regularly updated the Human Rights Council as well as EU interlocutors on the measures undertaken to address issues of accountability, and to achieve continued progress in reconciliation.
Sri Lanka’s labour rights, including health and safety conditions, are in compliance with ILO standards. Sri Lanka’s high labour standards maintained in production, have led to better quality products, and high value added exports, as reflected in the apparel sector.
The higher demand for ‘ethical’ products from Sri Lanka has led to increased production, subsequent investment, and improvement of the human capital in Sri Lanka.
The EU GSP + concessions have contributed significantly towards this process, thus benefiting the Sri Lankan economy, as well as the EU market. Similarly, the fishery sector is a notable growth sector which has benefited from EU GSP + concessions.
Hence the Foreign Ministry says that it regrets the adoption of a resolution on Sri Lanka in the European Parliament on June 10, 2021. (SS)
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