EU ponders slashing Belarus trade preferences

By Andrew Beatty

Date: 15/06/06

Officials from the EU's committee on generalised system of preferences (GSP) will discuss on Monday (19 June) removing Belarus's trade preferences, which are worth an estimated EUR 300 million per year. Under the system, tariffs on Belarusian exports to the EU are reduced for a range of products.

The European Commission has proposed to remove Belarus from the system for its failure to implement international labour rules. Some estimates put the total amount of goods covered at close to 10% of all Belarusian exports.

Vladimir Senko, Belarusian ambassador to the EU, has warned that the move would have negative consequences for millions of Belarusian workers and claimed it was politically inspired.

Ahead of the meeting representatives from his government will meet EU trade officials to try to hammer out a deal.

The meeting is being seen as a final attempt to get Belarus to make firm commitments about implementing the measures.

The EU first threatened to exclude Belarus from the GSP system in December 2003.

Article reports that officials from the EU's Committee on Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) were to discuss on 19 June 2006 whether to remove Belarus's trade preferences, worth an estimated EUR 300 million per year. Under the system, tariffs on Belarusian exports to the EU were reduced for a range of products, but the EU was accusing the country of failing to implement international labour rules.

European Commission: DG External Relations: Countries: Belarus http://www.eeas.europa.eu/belarus/index_en.htm

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