Renew Europe welcomes the interinstitutional agreement reached last night on the reform of the EU's Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP). This scheme provides reduced or tariff-free access to the EU market for developing countries. By supporting economic development through trade, the GSP strengthens the EU's partnerships with developing countries while creating stable conditions for European businesses operating in beneficiary countries.
The modernised regulation will now include stronger environmental and labour conditionality, including the Paris Agreement. Renew Europe was also instrumental in including better monitoring of obligations, enhanced engagement with the beneficiary countries including action plans to be drawn by them, and the involvement of civil society. The scheme will also ensure quicker and more efficient withdrawal procedure when needed.
A compromise was also reached on an automatic safeguard for rice imports and the agreement also addresses the link between trade preferences and migration cooperation. Nevertheless, the mechanism will be used in a proportionate manner, with safeguards before any suspension, including extended evaluation procedures for least-developed countries.
"More than two billion people benefit from this legislation," said MEP Karin Karlsbro, Renew coordinator for the Committee on International Trade and Group shadow on this file. "In times of growing protectionism, it's very important that the EU stands up for development through trade."
"More than two billion people benefit from this legislation," said MEP Karin Karlsbro, Renew coordinator for the Committee on International Trade and Group shadow on this file. "In times of growing protectionism, it's very important that the EU stands up for development through trade."
Karin KarlsbroRenew Europe MEP, Sweden, Liberalerna