Brussels, 19/02/2004 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday the Council, as we anticipated, extended by a year the political and economic sanctions against Zimbabwe, as well as the list of those being rejected visas. The principle was decided on the evening before by ambassadors with ministers ratifying it without debate at the beginning of the justice and home affairs Council. The list of those being banned entry into the European Union and whose assets have been frozen on Community territory has been increased to 95 from 89 last year (President Robert Mugabe is included on the list)). The Council also extended the embargo on sales of weapons and military equipment. These sanctions have been extended till February 2005. They will be accompanied by a letter addressed to the Zimbabwean President in which the Council underlines that "these measures do not penalise the Zimbabwean people" whom the EU will continue to support with humanitarian aid. In the letter it is stated that the contribution of the European Community to humanitarian and food aid operations rose to EUR 85 million, as well as the assistance provided by the Member State.