Relations between Zimbabwe and the 28-member European Union
(EU) bloc will soon be upgraded from informal to formal engagements as parties
actively seek to “enhance” their diplomatic rapport.
The new administration is heightening engagement and
re-engagement efforts in order to normalise relations with the global family of
nations.
It is believed that elevating relations will result in reciprocal
visits at ministerial level between Harare and Brussels.
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Dr
Sibusiso Moyo told The Sunday Mail that the recent visit by EU managing
director Mr Keon Vervaeke was instructive.
“The issue is that the EU has been having dialogue at the
level of permanent secretaries. They requested that it be raised to the
ministerial (level) so that it can enhance and quicken our re-engagement.”
During his visit to Harare, Mr Vervaeke met Justice, Legal
and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi and Foreign Affairs and
International Trade permanent secretary Ambassador James Manzou.
Minister Moyo said the meetings were both “frank and
progressive”.
“The visit was a good step forward. That is why all these
special envoys who are coming from organisations such as EU are coming to
engage Zimbabwe. It’s a process and we believe we are going in the right
direction.”
Speaking before leaving the country a fortnight ago, Mr
Vervaeke said the discussions with Government had provided scope for “a
strengthened relationship with the EU”.
“Based on extensive discussions with my interlocutors, we
hope that the commitment to take the reform process in Zimbabwe forward and to
address the violent events of the recent past will translate into tangible
action. Implementing political and economic reforms is crucial for the country
to enter into a positive trajectory, and a broad national consensus would
cement internal support. Progress on the reforms will also offer space for a
strengthened partnership with the EU.”
However, according to Minister Moyo, Harare still maintains
that the two-decade-old sanctions should be removed.
He said the re-engagement effort necessarily involves
“ending Zimbabwe’s estrangement from the Western world”, “reopening lines of
communication at the political level” and advocating for the removal of
sanctions.
Diplomatic minutes seen by this paper indicate that the
country is progressively making inroads in its renewed thrust to mend ties with
other countries, including opening up new frontiers.
The new political administration’s ongoing political and
economic reforms are also providing tailwinds to Government’s efforts.
Government is seized with a number of administrative
reforms meant to improve the governance architecture as well as create a
conducive environment for economic growth.
Some of the new policies will feed off from recommendations
by the EU Election Observer Mission, Commonwealth Election Observer Group and
the Kgalema Motlanthe-chaired commission of inquiry into the August 1 2018
post-election violence.
EU Ambassador to Zimbabwe Mr Timo Olkkonen did not respond
to questions. Sunday Mail
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