Ugo Astuto, the Acting Managing Director of the Asia and Pacific Division of the European External Action Service, at a media briefing today told the Journalists that the GSP+ benefit is effective on the compliance of 27 UN conventions relating to human rights, labour rights, environment and good governance.

The EU further said that at the Joint Commission which oversees the EU-Sri Lanka Cooperation Agreement on Partnership and Development it was agreed to establish a new Working Group on Governance, Rule of Law and Human Rights to allow for a dialogue on these issues.

The two parties will work together to agree Terms of Reference of this Working Group.

The EU yesterday noted that there has been progress on the human rights issue in Sri Lanka and reiterated calls for a credible investigation into incidents related to the war.