News Today: Latest updates on European Union visiting Sri Lanka to review GSP Plus progress

A high-profile team of senior European Union (EU) officials is currently visiting Sri Lanka as part of an important mission to review Sri Lanka’s compliance with the 27 international conventions under the Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) trade programme. The delegation, which arrived earlier this week, will stay in Sri Lanka until May 7th, 2025.

The EU remains Sri Lanka’s second-largest export destination, accounting for USD 3 billion in exports during 2024. The 27 conventions ratified by Sri Lanka span critical areas including Human Rights, Labour Rights, Environmental Protection and Climate Change, and Good Governance. Under the GSP+ programme, these conventions are not just ratified but must be effectively implemented, a process that the EU monitors closely through periodic missions and detailed reporting.

During their stay, the EU mission will meet with a wide range of stakeholders. These include senior government officials, institutional representatives, politicians, civil society organizations, business associations, and trade unions. Additionally, the delegation will conduct field visits to assess ground-level progress and identify challenges firsthand, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The outcome of this visit is crucial for Sri Lanka’s ongoing access to the GSP+ trade concessions, which provide preferential access to EU markets and are essential for boosting Sri Lankan exports. As News Today reports, maintaining GSP+ status is vital not just for the economy, but also for reinforcing democratic and sustainable governance principles within the country.