Announcing the development today at the EU Embassy in Harare, the EU Head of Delegation Aldo Dell’Ariccia said: “The EU welcomes the agreement reached between the political parties in Zimbabwe on a final draft constitution and the announcement of a referendum.”
He added: “This step forward in the implementation of the Global Political Agreement (GPA) adds further momentum to the reform process and paves way for the holding of peaceful, transparent and credible elections later this year.”
In recognition of these positive developments the EU has suspended immediately the travel ban imposed on six members of the government of Zimbabwe and has also delisted 21 persons and one entity subject to restrictive measures.
He was quick to point out that the six ministers whose travel ban has been lifted would remain on the list of people affected by the restrictive measures, just that they would no longer have their visas to EU destinations blacklisted.
The ambassador indicated that President Robert Mugabe and others would remain on the targeted sanctions list as the EU felt there was still a lot to be done regarding improving respect of human rights in Zimbabwe.
“We remain concerned about the continued violence against NGOS and other organisations involved in the conducting of elections in Zimbabwe. As EU we have delisted the 21 from the sanctions list because we felt reasons for maintaining the sanctions against them are no longer there.”
The EU said it was encouraged by the continued commitment of the South African Facilitation Team and the Southern African Development Community, as expressed at the recent extraordinary SADC summit in Dar Es Salaam, in supporting the efforts of the Zimbabwean parties to implement the GPA and the SADC roadmap.
“As demonstrated in July 2012 and the agreement by the (EU) Council today the EU stands ready to further adjust its policy to recognise progress as it is made by the Zimbabwean parties along the SADC roadmap.
“A peaceful and credible constitutional referendum would present an important milestone justifying an immediate suspension of the majority of all remaining EU targeted restrictive measures against individuals and entities,” he said..
Reaffirming its partnership with Zimbabwe the EU called on all political parties to maintain the momentum allowing for the holding of democratic elections later this year and to complete the implementation of the GPA and the SADC roadmaps.
The EU reiterated its commitment to political dialogue with the Government of National Unity and to work with any Government formed as the result of peaceful, transparent and credible electoral process.
Zanu (PF) dismissed the delisting of the 21 and lifting of the imposed travel ban on the six ministers as atrocious and divisive to the people of Zimbabwe.
“As Zanu (PF) we unreservedly condemn the delisting and lifting of the imposed travel ban on some of us as atrocious. The development is divisive and dangerous. The sanctions are illegal and should be removed totally and unconditionally. Zanu (PF) will never celebrate such fallacies.
“People of Zimbabwe as well as SADC continued to call for removal of the illegal sanctions as they only serve interest of people keen to loot our diamonds. The sanctions were not approved by the UN so they remain illegal and must be removed completely,” Zanu (PF) spokesperson, Rugare Gumbo, told The Zimbabwean.
MDC-T said the EU delisting and lifting of the imposed ban should be good news for Zanu (PF).
“This should be sweet news for Zanu (PF) but the development has to be matched with a Zanu (PF) change in behaviour,” said MDC-T spokesperson, Douglas Mwonzora.
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Pity zimbabwe does not have oil like libya cos then the bfits and yanks would have assassinated mugabe long ago and people would be better off right now. Diamonds however ensures euro interest!