1. The European Union on 15th February announced the temporary suspension of the GSP+ trade concession to Sri Lanka. In its Press Release notifying of the decision, the Directorate General for Trade of the European Commission (EC) observed that “the suspension of the GSP+ benefits is temporary, as the overarching EU objective remains to use the GSP+ as an incentive to underpin improvements” and, “will only take effect in six months time”. The Press Release went on to say that “once sufficient progress has been made, the Commission will propose to EU Member States that the decision taken today be reversed and the GSP+ benefits restored”.