Sri Lanka

Mr. Burstow
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to other EU member states on the renewal of Generalised System of Preferences plans in respect of Sri Lanka; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Thomas
I have been asked to reply.

The issue of the renewal of Generalised System of Preferences (GSP+) in respect of Sri Lanka has been raised in several meetings with my EU counterparts. Along with other EU member states the United Kingdom supported the EU Commission’s decision to initiate an investigation into Sri Lanka’s effective implementation of the GSP+ conventions.

The UK Government are committed to ensuring that the GSP+ scheme is robust and effectively implemented. It is important that we treat all countries objectively and fairly, according to the GSP+ regulation. We have consistently encouraged the Government of Sri Lanka to engage constructively with the European Commission in its investigation.