The European Union (EU) is looking forward to closer
cooperation with Zimbabwe following encouraging progress made through the
national political dialogue process, secretary-general of the European External
Action Service, Mr Christian Leffler has said.
Speaking after paying a courtesy call on President
Mnangagwa at his Munhumutapa Offices in Harare yesterday, Mr Leffler described
the progress outlined by the President on the nation’s political dialogue
during their meeting as encouraging.
“We had today, a detailed account from the President on the
national dialogue, which I found to be very encouraging and we are confident
that by the time we have the next political dialogue at the level of EU and the
Zimbabwean authorities, there will be progress to report in this respect and
that would help us define the future paths forward for closer cooperation,”
said Mr Leffler.
Mr Leffler, whose engagement with President Mnangagwa
lasted close to an hour, said the European Union was committed to seeing
progress in Zimbabwe.
“I was very honoured to have this meeting with His Excellency,
the President. The length of the meeting reflects the strong engagement between
Zimbabwe and the commitment the European Union has to Zimbabwe, the nation, the
people, to see how we can accomplish progress in this country,” he said.
He said there was also need for a broad national dialogue
to anchor the Government’s reform project.
Mr Leffler said this broad national dialogue should include
different groupings, which include political groupings in Parliament, the
churches, the youths and other sections of the society.
“We indicated our determination to continue to work with
this country at all levels, the dialogue and to find ways forward to support
the key reform processes in the interest of a stronger and more stable cohesion
Zimbabwe that can then bring the economic, social and political benefits to the
people,” he said.
Apart from the country’s reform agenda, Mr Leffler said
they also discussed post-election disturbances and demonstrations that rocked
the country.
Early this month Zimbabwe and the EU launched an historic
formal dialogue which was based on Article 8 of the Cotonou Partnership
Agreement which governs relations between member states of the
African-Carribean-Pacific regions and the EU.
The development was a major realisation of President
Mnangagwa’s re-engagement policy which seeks to reintegrate Zimbabwe into the
international community following previous sour relations.
The next such meeting is expected to be held in November
this year following the parties’ agreement to meet twice a year. Herald
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