SW Radio Africa (London)
Tichaona Sibanda
17 June 2009
Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and his delegation have been warmly welcomed in Oslo, Norway where the Norwegian premier has promised to increase aid to Zimbabwe.
The Prime Minister of Norway, Jens Stoltenberg, told Tsvangirai on Wednesday that funds from his government will mainly go to areas to do with education, health services and promoting democracy. The Norwegians pledged $8 million - to total about $40 million the country has spent in Zimbabwe so far this year.
As has become the norm with each government that Tsvangirai has visited, the funds will not be channelled through the inclusive government's financial system, but through the UN, the World Bank and non governmental organisations.
Tsvangirai was accompanied to the talks on Wednesday by ZANU PF Foreign Affairs Minister Simbarashe Mumbengegwi. Norway does not have any targeted sanctions against individuals in Zimbabwe.
Norway's deputy minister of Foreign Affairs Raymond Johansen, who was in Harare last month, had invited Mumbengegwi to visit Oslo with Tsvangirai.
In Norway Tsvangirai had started the day with a breakfast meeting with Erick Solheim, the Minister of International Development. Later he held talks with Stoltenberg, who told journalists during a media conference that Tsvangirai has shown leadership and 'great courage as a leader and as head of government'.
The Norwegian premier said they admired his efforts to unify the MDC and the new government, adding 'we need his leadership in challenging times ahead.'
Stolternbeg also said Norway supports the government of national unity and is prepared to start bilateral cooperation with the Government.
Meanwhile the European Union has so far refused to give visas to Foreign Affairs Minister Simbarashe Mumbengegwi and Justice Minister Patrick Chinamasa. Both ministers are on the targeted sanctions list of the EU. Chinamasa, Mumbengegwi and Finance Minister Tendai Biti are meant to join Tsvangirai in Brussels, Belgium for a meeting. Biti is reported to have traveled to Brussels on Monday night.
Tourism Minister Walter Mzembi, who accompanied Tsvangirai to the United States, was barred from meeting US President Barack Obama last Friday, much to the chagrin of his party. It's not clear yet if Mzembi will be allowed into Brussels, as he is also on the EU targeted sanctions list.
Tsvangirai is expected in Brussels Wednesday evening and during his stay in Belgium he will address the 27 heads of the European Union.
Meanwhile ZANU PF Minister of Mines Obert Mpofu, has been refused a visa by the British government to attend a mining conference in London which starts next week Monday.
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