Brussels, 28/05/2009 (Agence Europe) - The EU Council considers recent political progress in Zimbabwe is encouraging but does not yet warrant the lifting of sanctions imposed by the EU on this country. This in substance is the response that the Council is to give Sir John Kaputin, General Secretary of the group of ACP States (African/Caribbean/Pacific).
In a letter to European Development Commissioner Louis Michel and Czech Ambassador and joint chair of the Committee of ACP-EU Ambassadors Milena Vicenova on 21 April, Kaputin wrote: “The ACP Group considers that the social and political situation is evolving positively in Zimbabwe, as testified among other things by the conclusion of the Global Political Agreement between various political forces in the country and the formation of an inclusive Government”. The ACP Group, therefore, “is of the view that the lifting of (sanctions) and the restoration of fully-fledged cooperation between the European Union and the Republic of Zimbabwe would not only be justified, but also consistent with the spirit of political dialogue enshrined in the Cotonou Partnership Agreement”. In its response, the Council said it shared the ACP Group's viewpoint on the indications that the political situation was developing positively. It hoped that this progress would lead as quickly as possible to a new phase of stability, respect for human rights and the rule of law to which the people of Zimbabwe aspire. It pointed out that the realisation of public sector reforms and the establishment of a responsible financial system, which formed part of the new government's manifesto, were still too slow and remained a source of major concern, both in the country and across the international community. The Council hoped that the timely political dialogue that the Zimbabwean government proposed to the EU on 19 March would result in a roadmap for reciprocal commitments and would lead to a gradual resumption of full cooperation. (A.N./transl.rt)