The EU generalised system of preferences (GSP) allows developing countries to pay lower duties on their exports to the EU. This gives them vital access to EU markets, helping jobs and growth. A revised GSP regulation was adopted earlier this year and will come into effect on 1 January 2014. Under the scheme certain countries qualify for additional preferences, known as GSP+, by ratifying and implementing international conventions on human and labour rights, the environment and good governance. The Commission has presented a list of 10 countries which it believes qualify for GSP+, including Armenia, Bolivia, Cape Verde, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Georgia, Mongolia, Pakistan, Paraguay and Peru.
There has been concern that not all of these countries comply fully with the standards expected of them, in particular Pakistan. The Commission insists that based on expert assessments using a ‘scorecard’ system, all the countries fulfil the requirements approved by the European Parliament. This oral question asks the Commission to give details on the ‘scorecards’, including how it will ensure effective monitoring, how the European Parliament will be involved and how it will use information provided by monitoring bodies and civil society.