The senior European Union official in Zimbabwe said the 27-nation bloc has no agenda for regime change in Zimbabwe, and reiterated that Brussels is willing to work with the inclusive government under the leadership of President Robert Mugabe and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai.
Delegation Chief Xavier Marchal told a seminar in Harare Thursday on the economic partnership agreements between the EU and Eastern and Southern Africa that the EU has only applied targeted sanctions or restrictions to senior officials including, prominently, President Mugabe, not the country itself. He said the policy excluded trade relations, adding that Europe is ready to re-engage Zimbabwe “on the basis of an agreed methodology.”
The remarks followed the opening of Zanu PF’s fifth congress Wednesday in Harare. Mr. Mugabe and his supporters accused the EU and other western countries of imposing sanctions in an effort to undermine Mr. Mugabe.
Political analyst Philip Pasirayi, director of the Center for Community Development, told VOA Studio 7 reporter Jonga Kandemiiri that Europe has been consistent in its demands that Harare respect human rights and restore the rule of law in the country - major issues in its imposition of sanctions.
Delegation Chief Xavier Marchal reiterated in a seminar that Brussels is willing to work with the inclusive government under the leadership of President Robert Mugabe and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai
