Zivanai Dhewa
…as Zim continues with its engagement and re-engagement efforts
Zimbabwe and the European Union (EU) held the 3rd session of the Political Dialogue where both parties agreed to continue engaging to foster good relations.
Addressing journalists after the meeting, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Ambassador Fredrick Shava affirmed Zimbabwe’s commitment to engagement and re-engagement with the European Union.
“Zimbabwe renews its commitment to the re-engagement efforts in so far as our relations with EU are concerned in a constructive manner.
“We should just know that the member states of the EU many of them are friends of ours and we would like to get back to a situation where we trade bilaterally with some of them as early as possible,” said Minister Shava.
He acknowledged the assistance that the country has received from the development partners especially during the Covid19 pandemic.
“The EU’s spirit of partnership was acknowledged particularly the block’s development assistance and funding availed to the country in the fight against Covid19,” Minister Shava said.
Reiterating the country’s position on the issue of the illegal sanctions, the Minister said, “We continue to call for the unconditional removal of these restrictive measures. We have noted with regret that the EU continues to renew sanctions, they argue that they are no sanctions but restrictive measures, but to us they are sanctions,” he said.
Speaking at the same press conference after the meeting, Ambassador Timo Olkkonen Head of the European Union to Zimbabwe acknowledged the commitment Zimbabwe has given to the Political Dialogue with the EU.
“Impressed by the attendance of Zimbabwe to this meeting, it speaks of its commitment towards the dialogue. We are having high level attendance from the Zimbabwe side.
“Indeed this was the 3rd form of political dialogue between Zimbabwe and the EU, the dialogue toward the useful platform to exchange views on issues of interest where we wish to deepen our relationships, but equally on issues we might not agree on but wish to foster mutual understanding,” said Olkkonen
The EU further acknowledged Government commitment toward stabilising the country’s economy.
“The EU acknowledged Government efforts to stabilise the economy and highlighted that economic reforms and the fight against corruption are paramount for Zimbabwe, in particular to mitigate the humanitarian crisis and improve the socio-economic situation,” Olkkonen said
Giving a brief calendar of the EU budget plans, Olkkonen said, “The Europe2021 is important also because the EU is embarking on a new financing cycle which will run from 2021 to 2027. We are busy planning for our cooperation for those years with Zimbabwe under the new Global EU financial instrument.
Meanwhile, Zimbabwe continues to foster its engagement and re-engagement drive to expand its trade partners. Some European countries have shown interest in Zimbabwe’s organic fruits and vegetables which they continue to buy albeit in smaller quantities. The unconditional removal of sanctions will ensure that Zimbabwe is able to grow its economy and improve the lives and livelihoods of its citizens.
