France Signals Positive Outlook on Sri Lanka’s GSP+ Application

COLOMBO (News 1st); France has called for a further expansion of Sri Lanka’s capacity to export high‑quality garment products to European markets, the Chairperson of the France-Sri Lanka Parliamentary Friendship Group in the French Senate, Vanina Paoli‑Gagin, said during high‑level talks in Colombo.

She made the remarks during a bilateral discussion held on April 21 at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs between a delegation from the French Senate led by her and Sri Lanka’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath.

During the talks, attention was focused on Sri Lanka’s application to obtain the GSP+ trade concession for the upcoming period.

The French delegation assured that France is viewing the matter with a positive outlook.

Minister Herath explained that under the new government, all communities are treated equally and that concrete steps have been taken to safeguard democratic principles and human rights.

The Minister also expressed Sri Lanka’s gratitude for the support extended by France for post‑disaster reconstruction following the impact of Cyclone ‘Dithwah’ and for assistance provided during the country’s debt restructuring process after the economic crisis.

Highlighting the government’s efforts to restore economic stability under the International Monetary Fund programme, Minister Herath noted that although challenges have emerged due to the current tensions between the United States and Iran, Sri Lanka has been able to manage them effectively.

Referring to the rapid growth of Sri Lanka’s tourism industry, the Minister said the launch of Air France flights to Sri Lanka would create greater opportunities for French tourists to visit the country.

Vanina Paoli‑Gagin said her visit to Sri Lanka had been a successful one and described it as a pleasure to meet and hold discussions with the Speaker of Parliament and the Prime Minister.

She noted that the longstanding friendship between Sri Lanka and France has been further strengthened in recent times through reciprocal visits by state leaders. She also said invitations would be extended for Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister and President to visit France in the future.

During the discussion, appreciation was expressed for cooperation between the two countries in the Indian Ocean region, including progress in the activities of the Regional Centre for Maritime Studies (RCMS) and France’s leadership in advancing the adoption of the BBNJ agreement. The two sides also held detailed discussions on expanding cooperation in capacity building, as well as measures taken by the French Parliament to manage the impacts of artificial intelligence and the need to establish appropriate regulatory frameworks.