Luxemburg, 23/04/2007 (Agence Europe) - As announced in EUROPE 9409, the External Relations Council decided in Luxemburg on Monday to extend the list (set up by the joint position of 19 February 2007) of Zimbabwean leaders who will not be granted a visa. In their conclusions, Foreign Ministers stressed that EU targeted measures (a visa ban, an assets freeze and an arms embargo) were “exclusively aimed at those leading figures responsible for Zimbabwe's crisis of governance and abuses of human rights”. Ministers also expressed their “strong concern” at the rapidly deteriorating human rights, political and economic situation in Zimbabwe, particularly the violent repression of the opposition. The Council called on the Zimbabwean government to respect Africa's own commitments and approaches, in particular the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) and the recently adopted African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance. It also welcomed the fact that the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) recently held an extraordinary summit in Dar es Salam and had taken an initiative to resolve this crisis. “The Council stands ready to support the SADC initiative, if called upon to do so,” say Monday's conclusions. Ministers also reaffirmed their solidarity with the Zimbabwean people and confirmed the willingness of the EU to continue to contribute to operations of humanitarian nature and projects which are in direct support of the population. (ab)