Saturday Dec 14, 2024
Saturday Dec 14, 2024
Tuesday, 26 January 2021 01:14 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
The European Union (EU) yesterday called on the Sri Lankan Government to notify its import restrictions to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) stressing that open and fair trade requires a level playing field, something which has not been the case as a result of the limits in place since April 2020.
In the midst of a nationwide lockdown last April the Government restricted imports on what it termed as non-essential imports. Despite the EU, which is Sri Lanka’s second largest export market, raising concerns, top officials have staunchly defended the move as essential to protect reserves, avert a balance to payments crisis and meet debt repayments.
Nonetheless, during the 23rd meeting of the Joint Commission between the EU and the Sri Lankan Government held yesterday the issue had once again come up for discussion, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement. During the exchange the EU had urged the Government to notify the WTO on its import restriction policy, the joint communique said. Sri Lanka has tariff preference granted under GSP+ that has helped exports increase to € 2.3 billion.
“The Joint Commission acknowledged that there is potential for Sri Lanka to make even better use of the tariff concessions granted. In this regard, among other things the EU also stressed that open and fair trade requires a level playing field and expressed its strong concerns about Sri Lanka’s import restrictions imposed since April 2020 following COVID, which have had a negative impact on European businesses. The EU urged Sri Lanka to notify these measures to the World Trade Organisation,” the statement said.
The EU and Sri Lanka also committed to further enhance the regular EU-Sri Lanka Investor Dialogue to address impediments affecting trade and investment from the EU.
Sri Lanka reaffirmed the commitments made to effectively implement the 27 international Conventions covered by the GSP+ scheme on human and labour rights, environment and good governance. In this context, the EU reiterated the need for Sri Lanka to amend the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) and bring it in line with international standards.
“The Sri Lankan government confirmed its intent on revisiting the provisions of the PTA with a view to making the appropriate amendments.”
The EU also said it regrets Sri Lanka’s withdrawal from its co-sponsorship of the UN Human Rights Council Resolution 30/1and subsequent resolutions that incorporated and built on it. Sri Lanka explained how it would advance national reconciliation and action taken in accordance with its Constitution and laws. Sri Lanka announced the appointment of a Commission of Inquiry to investigate alleged human rights violations, the statement added.
The EU reiterated the importance of fostering reconciliation, justice, accountability and peaceful coexistence among Sri Lanka’s diverse communities, and underlined the important role of the independent institutions established in recent years, notably the Office on Missing Persons, the Office for Reparations and the Human Rights Commission. The EU stressed the value of a fully empowered and resilient civil society, in all its diversity, for any democracy. The EU expressed its continued readiness to support Sri Lanka in these efforts.
Regarding the use of the death penalty, the EU welcomed Sri Lanka’s record on maintaining its moratorium on executions and encouraged it to legally abolish the death penalty. The EU also reiterated its opposition to the use of the death penalty in all circumstances.
The Joint Commission was informed about the proceedings of the fourth EU-Sri Lanka Working Group on Development Cooperation held in Brussels on 28 October 2020. In addition to the support for Sri Lanka’s COVID-19 response, the Working Group appraised positively another three grants from the European Union worth € 35.75 million, which will support Sri Lanka’s justice sector, help improve food safety, and strengthen efforts to mitigate climate change. Implementation is planned for 2021 and beyond.
“The EU and Sri Lanka are committed to working together in the coming years on the preparation of possible new actions aiming at addressing green recovery, promotion of inclusive and peaceful society, and water management.”
