No compromising Lanka’s dignity and sovereignty:”

Govt ready to consider constructive EU proposals - Prof Peiris

by Ananth PALAKIDNAR

Minister of Foreign Affairs Prof. G. L. Peiris who met the European Union Ambassador Bernard Savage and representatives of the EU Member States reiterated that the Government was not in a position to proceed on the basis of the unacceptable conditions and ultimatum put forward by the EU with regard to the benefits of GSP Plus.

While reiterating the Government’s firm stance of not proceeding with the EU conditions, Prof.Peiris agreed to consider constructive proposals by the European Commission which did not compromise Sri Lanka’s dignity and sovereignty.

Prof. Peiris met the EU Ambassador and representatives of the EU Member States for the first time in Parliament on Friday since the EU released its conditions and ultimatum with regard to the GSP Plus issue.

Minister Peiris said that over the past several months, the Government had engaged in what it believed was a constructive process of dialogue with the European Commission relating to the continuation of GSP Plus benefits for the people of Sri Lanka.

In a spirit of open discussion, the Government had also informed the Commission that revoking certain limited measures essential for public safety and national security could not be considered in the present context in Sri Lanka and could be re-considered at a later date. It was against this background that the Government was taken by surprise by the further conditions, and the deadlines stipulated in the letter dated June 17, 2010 by the European Commission.

The Ambassador of the European Union thanked Minister Peiris for the briefing on the position of the Government on the letter sent by the European Commission on June 17, 2010.