European Council assures regaining GSP+ concessions to Sri Lanka

Brussels [Belgium], Oct. 18 (ANI): European Council President, Donald Tusk, held a meeting with the Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe in Brussels. Wickremesinghe is in Brussels to hold discussions with the European Union to regain the Generalized System of Preferences plus (GSP+) concessions for Sri Lanka. Tusk has pledged during the meeting with the Sri Lankan PM and his delegation to support the country's request to get back the European Union's GSP+ facility that was withdrawn by the EU in February 2010. The European Council President emphasized during the meeting with the PM that Sri Lanka's current political and social reforms has led to the country to obtain the EU concessions, reports the Colombo Page. He assured the Sri Lankan government of continuous support in its measures for good governance and reconciliation and also assured them of strengthening EU-Sri Lanka relations and trade. Tusk has been invited by Wickremesinghe to visit Sri Lanka to observe the ongoing democratization and development process in the island nation. The European Council President has accepted the invitation and is planning to undertake an official visit to Sri Lanka next year. (ANI)