By: Staff Writer
February 24, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka’s campaign to secure continued access to the European Union’s GSP+ trade concession has taken a distinctly diplomatic turn. During bilateral talks on the sidelines of the AI Summit in New Delhi, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake sought the support of French President Emmanuel Macron a move that could reshape Colombo’s strategy in Brussels.
Why France Matters
France is a key actor within the European Council and European Parliament, institutions central to decisions on trade preferences. Support from Paris could strengthen Sri Lanka’s case when compliance assessments are reviewed.
According to officials, President Macron assured Sri Lanka of France’s fullest backing in retaining GSP+ and signaled willingness to expand bilateral trade concessions. Beyond political endorsement, France can provide technical expertise to help Sri Lanka implement the 27 required international conventions.
This matters because the GSP+ process is not purely political; it is procedural and evidence-based. Demonstrable progress on repealing the PTA, reforming the OSA, and strengthening reconciliation institutions must be documented and verified.
Diplomatic Leverage vs. Structural Compliance
However, diplomatic backing has limits. Even a major EU power cannot override institutional compliance mechanisms. The European Commission’s monitoring process assesses measurable progress in human rights, labour standards and governance reforms.
Sri Lanka’s leadership appears aware of this. At the EU-Sri Lanka Joint Commission meeting in Colombo, the government outlined steps toward repealing controversial legislation and reinforcing bodies such as the Office on Missing Persons and the Office for Reparations.
However scepticism lingers within segments of the European Parliament, where human rights concerns have previously shaped debates on Sri Lanka’s trade status.
France’s support could soften political resistancebut it cannot substitute for legislative reform.
The Broader Trade Strategy
President Dissanayake has also engaged with Britain’s Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy, thanking the United Kingdom for including Sri Lanka in its Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS). This parallel diplomacy signals a broader effort to hedge against uncertainty in the EU process. The strategy is clear: diversify diplomatic backing while accelerating domestic reforms.
High Stakes for a Fragile Economy
The economic stakes are considerable. GSP+ offers preferential access for key Sri Lankan exports, particularly apparel. Losing it would weaken competitiveness in a crucial market at a time when the country is still rebuilding from financial crisis.
Macron’s pledge of support provides political momentum. It signals to EU partners that Sri Lanka’s reform trajectory deserves encouragement rather than isolation.
But the ultimate verdict will rest not in Paris, nor even in New Delhi where the leaders met—but in Brussels, where compliance reports and parliamentary debates will determine whether Sri Lanka’s promises translate into continued preferential access.In the end, France can open doors. Only sustained reform can keep them open.
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