May 01, Colombo (LNW): A visiting delegation from the European Union has held discussions with Sri Lanka’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath, at the Ministry’s headquarters in Colombo, as part of a formal review mission connected to the GSP+ trade concessions framework.
The EU mission, comprising senior officials, is in the country to assess Sri Lanka’s ongoing efforts to uphold the commitments required under the Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+)—a trade arrangement that grants developing countries preferential access to the European market, contingent on the implementation of 27 international conventions relating to human rights, labour standards, environmental protection, and good governance.
During the meeting, Minister Herath outlined the key policy reforms undertaken since the current government assumed office, particularly in relation to the fight against corruption, strengthening democratic institutions, safeguarding human rights, and advancing reconciliation efforts.
He further assured the delegation that the government remains committed to introducing legislative reforms and administrative measures designed to uphold the values that underpin the GSP+ mechanism.
Emphasising the historical cooperation between Sri Lanka and the European Union across various domains, Minister Herath expressed appreciation for the EU’s consistent support, especially in aiding the country’s economic stabilisation and recovery.
He highlighted the importance of continued collaboration, noting that the EU currently stands as Sri Lanka’s second-largest export destination—a critical partner in both trade and development.
The EU team, for their part, acknowledged Sri Lanka’s recent progress on multiple fronts and welcomed the government’s stated intentions to accelerate reforms.
They reiterated the bloc’s commitment to supporting Sri Lanka as it moves forward with its policy agenda, with particular emphasis on transparency, accountability, and inclusive governance.
The GSP+ review mission is part of a broader monitoring cycle, carried out biennially, to assess whether recipient countries are meeting the conditions of the programme.
The outcome of these evaluations directly influences Sri Lanka’s eligibility to retain its preferential trade access to the EU’s single market, which spans 27 member states and a consumer base of over 450 million people.
