Germany to support Sri Lanka to regain GSP+

By Chamodi Gunawardana

The Foreign Affairs Ministry yesterday said that Germany would support Sri Lanka to regain the European Union’s (EU) Generalised System of Preference Plus (GSP+).

Addressing a press briefing yesterday, Ministry Spokesperson Mahishini Colonne stated that Germany would be the coordinator between EU and the Sri Lankan Government to conduct discussions with regard to regaining GSP+.

“Germany and Sri Lanka have worked together for years and this will continue. Foreign Affairs Minister Mangala Samaraweera visited Germany a few months ago and the German Government welcomed him warmly,” Colonne asserted.

Colonne further said that the German Foreign Ministry treated Sri Lanka as an important partner in Asia and the two countries discussed steps that should be taken further to strength the partnership.

“Germany is Sri Lanka’s largest importer in the EU and it will continue its support under investments, manufacturing and job creation,” Colonne said.

Commenting on the relationship between India and Sri Lanka, the spokesperson explained that the Government was handling the Indian fisheries issue in a sensitive manner.

“There are no Sri Lankan fisherman in Indian custody and no Indian fisherman in Sri Lankan custody either. However, 46 Indian boats are in Sri Lankan custody and four Sri Lankan boats are in Indian custody. The Government is planning to settle this issue as soon as possible through discussions,” Colonne explained.

Colonne further spoke about kidnapping of a Sri Lankan employee in Nigeria recently, stating that the Government was working closely with the employer and victim’s family to rescue him from the kidnappers. She also said that the Government was conducting discussions with the Nigerian Government to ascertain the best possible solution in this regard.