Published by the government of Zimbabwe
30 June 2009
Harare — GOVERNMENT yesterday told representatives of European Union member states in Harare that Zanu-PF and the two MDC formations had the sole mandate to assess progress in meeting the benchmarks set in the Global Political Agreement without the monitoring of Westerners.
Speaking at a Press conference on Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai's recent six-nation tour, Regional Integration and International Co-operation Minister Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga said relations between Zimbabwe and the EU should be on the "basis of partnerships, not monitoring".
"The benchmarks we have set are not for the EU, but for ourselves. There is commitment to ensuring these benchmarks are met," she said.
While acknowledging the existence of some outstanding issues in the GPA, the minister said the inclusive Government had also done "very positive things" within a short period of time.
Minister Misihairabwi-Mushonga described PM Tsvangirai's tour of Europe and the United States to source funding and lobby for the lifting of illegal sanctions on Zimbabwe "as extremely successful".
She would, however, not divulge the amount of financial aid raised, saying the PM would present a report to Cabinet. The heads of EU member states in Harare said they were happy with the re-launch of political dialogue with Zimbabwe in accordance with the Cotonou Partnership Agreement and looked forward to becoming helpful partners.
Talks to re-establish ties between Zimbabwe and the EU began more than a week ago in at the European bloc's headquarters in Brussels, Belgium. These were the first full formal discussions between the two sides in seven years.
Relations between Zimbabwe and the EU have been sour for nearly a decade after the latter's members imposed sanctions ahead of the 2002 presidential elections in a bid to influence the outcome of the polls.
Czech ambassador Dr Ludek Zahradnicek, whose country hands over the rotating EU presidency to Sweden tomorrow, described the re-launch of political dialogue as "significant" and a "pleasure".
"It is a pleasure to re-launch the political dialogue in accordance with the Cotonou Agreement." The Czech embassy in Harare hosted the Press conference, which was organised by EU heads of mission based in the country.
Swedish ambassador to Zimbabwe Mr Sten
Rylander said the re-launch of political dialogue "was very good" while acknowledging progress made by the inclusive Government.
"Reforms in Zimbabwe have inspired us to do more," he said.
His comments come as the Swedish Agency for International Development pledged to inject US$1 million in a three-year partnership aimed at building capacity in the private sector.
Asked why all EU member countries visited by PM Tsvangirai pledged funds through non-governmental organisations, the Head of the European Commission in Zimbabwe, Ambassador Xavier Marchal, said the EU "continued to serve the people in line with restrictive policy towards Zimbabwe".
"We will continue to serve the population in the same manner. Our support has been channelled through NGOs and the UN system," he said.
Ambassador Rylander claimed donors did not have "enough confidence" to channel funds through Government.
"We are discussing with Government to find alternative channels to channel additional aid . . . until the process (EU-Zimbabwe dialogue) comes to normal," he said.
The ambassadors pledged that dialogue between Zimbabwe and the EU would continue under the Swedish presidency of the bloc.
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"Uplift".........it's on!
Since Mr. "Upliftdarace" likes to cut-&-paste, please allow me to respond in kind...........
Mr. Uplift:
I grew tired of your cut-&-paste doggerel, so I decided to fact-check your claims that Black Africans actually “invented” the things you have claimed they did (courtesy of the Black Inventors Museum in Los Angeles, California). Most of your claims are out and out WRONG or complete fabrications! Maybe you’ve heard of this “invention” called Wikipedia?
I have put counter-claims to your assertions that Black Africans “invented” many of the things you claim they have. As a matter of FACT it is somewhat… [Read Full Text]
Dumb Herald!
So the EU is supposed to take the ZANU PF recommendations that the government has met its benchmarks as set in the GPA, and then give them heaps of aid and support.
Bollocks!
The EU is monitoring to take a view whether they should invest money into the place through aid and other means.
Would you lend money to a former murderer without checking to make sure he isnt still murdering first?
Well said Awt !! And the voteriggers of Zanu Pf do not have the solemandate of the Zimbabwean people anyway. But offcourse they do not want things like that to be monitored.
It is hoped that the Nordic's taking over the helm at the EU will give the overworked Ministries some relief in the form of cash. Several busloads of workers from the Ministry of Barbecues were transferred to the Ministry of Menu Subsitutions due to the large back load of unvisited restaurants by the former's exhausted personnel. On a similar note, the rumor of a complaint of a large freshwater turtle being subsituted for a prime beef round at the Ministry of the National Herd buffet table has been silenced. Coincidentally, numerous Co Ministers of the Weights and… [Read Full Text]
Carlos4, it was stated that Mugabe had the lion's share of that "freshwater turtle" because his false teeth were found stuck to it's backside. Ha ha ha ha.
Maybe Bob has turned turtle ( to see Somora Machel) . Bob would die of constipation if he could'nt open his mouth.
Yes, I agree......
"The benchmarks we have set are not for the EU, but for ourselves. There is commitment to ensuring these benchmarks are met,"
When the benchmarks set by the GPA are fulfilled, the EU and the US will agree to engage with Zimbabwe.
When Comrade Gono is gone from the RBZ, when Comrade Thomana is gone from the AG's office, when ZANU-PF truly shows a sincere effort in implementing the GPU, when property rights are respected in ZImbabwe, when draconian media laws are repealed, when an independent press is allowed to function............ WHEN THE POLICE/CIO STOP BEATING AND… [Read Full Text]