Brussels, 23/08/2013 (Agence Europe) - The European Union will review its relations with Zimbabwe, said High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton on 22 August. She was speaking following the declaration of the Constitutional Court of Zimbabwe approving the results of the presidential elections on 31 July and the re-appointment of President Robert Mugabe for another five years. Mugabe has held the post for over 30 years and is now 89 years old.
However, many observers revealed irregularities during the ballot. Moreover, the EU shares the “serious concerns” raised by the South African Development Community, the African Union and local observers, Ashton states.
She reiterated the importance for the country to continue its reforms so that future elections might be transparent, credible and peaceful. It is in taking account of these factors that the EU will review its relations with Zimbabwe, Ashton stated, underlining the fact that the European objective remains “to support the Zimbabwean people in achieving a more prosperous and democratic Zimbabwe, as a sure foundation for the future full normalisation of relations between Zimbabwe and the EU”. (MD/transl.fl)