Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2005-03-08-Speech-2-083"

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". Mr President, we are debating the reform of the generalised system of preferences – the GSP – for developing countries. As has already been said, this system is one of the most important instruments for bringing about economic development in developing countries and, as such, a fairer distribution in the world. It offers trade benefits to the countries that are most in need of them. In addition, the countries that perform well in terms of human rights, good governance, labour legislation and sustainable development, are given even more benefits through what is termed the GSP plus programme, intended as an extra incentive for governments to carry out serious and sustainable work in further stabilising and developing their countries. The existing GSP scheme is being reviewed, as was long overdue. To date, very little use has been made of the opportunities which this scheme offers, and that is why attempts have been made to simplify it and to make it more transparent and more objective. That will not be a guarantee that this scheme, or the additional opportunities, will be used more often. We therefore call for reform of the rules of origin and, above all, for adequate technical assistance to help countries examine how they can meet the conditions. GSP plus should give governments extra incentives to practise good governance, respect human rights and so on, but the Commission only wants to grant the scheme to countries which already comply with it. In that way, it takes away the incentive for countries which could comply with it in the next ten years, that being the period for which the scheme will run. That is a missed opportunity. The report therefore argues that countries which will comply with the conditions for GSP plus in the next few years will be able to make use of the extra benefits as soon as they meet the criteria. Our group backs this report as now amended. The subject matter is complex, and I am pleased to have been able to reach a compromise with the other groups and the different disciplines. I hope that the report will be adopted in this form and that the Council and the Commission can accept the recommendations. The Commission wanted to discuss this report earlier for the benefit of the countries that were hit by the tsunami disaster. I hope that those countries will also actually benefit from this scheme. The good news is that the assessment which we were waiting for has finally been completed."@en1

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