HARARE - The Zimbabwe and European Union are expected to resume talks in June when the government is expected to ask for the unconditional lifting of sanctions by the international body. The dialogue is to explore ways of normalising relations between Zimbabwe and Europe that were strained after the EU imposed restrictive measures on Zimbabwe in 2002.
The EU extended the sanctions on Zimbabwe for another year citing lack of progress in the inclusive Government.
Last month talks were postponed after a cloud of volcanic ash had covered Northern European skies and grounded airlines.
The Minister of Regional Integration and International Co-operation, Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga, who is also the deputy secretary-general of the Movement for Democratic Change lead by Arthur Mutambara, confirmed the talks.
She however, said actual dates were still being finalised.
“We are trying to find a suitable date for both of us (Zimbabwe and EU) where we will have enough time to discuss. There is need that we co-ordinate properly. We have given EU Commission Head of the Mission Ambassador Xavier Marchal our suggestions in terms of dates that we felt are more convenient for us and he will come back to give us feedback. At the moment we don’t have actual dates but we are hoping to resume our dialogue sometime in June,” she said
Other members who are part of the inter-ministerial team are Justice and Legal Affairs Minister, Patrick Chinamasa and Minister of Economic Planning and Investment Promotion Elton Mangoma.
Misihairabwi-Mushonga however said the main objective of the dialogue was to lobby for the unconditional lifting of sanctions by EU.
“The purpose of the dialogue is for us to have a common ground. We want all forms of sanctions to be lifted without any conditions to pave way for the speedy recovery of our economy,” she said.
She said she was optimistic that the dialogue would yield positive results.
Post published in: News