Zim, EU hold 2nd dialogue session

Further, the EU and Zimbabwe, together with four Eastern and Southern African partners (Comoros, Madagascar, Mauritius, Seychelles), agreed to launch negotiations to extend the scope of EPA beyond trade in goods towards a more comprehensive partnership covering both trade and related areas such as investment and sustainable development.

“Both reforms could allow for increased investment and opportunities,” said Ambassador Olkkonen.

He had earlier in his remarks said dialogue was now central to Zimbabwe and EU relations. “The formal dialogue is now an integral part of the relations between the EU and the Republic of Zimbabwe in the sense of Article 8 of the Cotonou Partnership Agreement and the dialogue provides a platform to exchange views on topics that are of common interest and identify areas where we can deepen our relationship, but equally discuss issues we might not agree upon and foster mutual understanding,” he said.

“The EU wishes to support Zimbabwe’s political and economic reform agenda. Urgent political and economic reforms, including the fight against corruption are indeed necessary for the benefit of Zimbabwean people.

“These reforms can pave the way for a further strengthening of relations between Zimbabwe and the EU based on shared values, the respect of human rights and the Sustainable Development Goals agenda.”

In his remarks after the meeting, Acting Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister July Moyo said: “This was the first ministerial meeting that we have held with the EU and we discussed issues that have to do with our relations in many areas and this type of dialogue will augur well as we move forward. “We have urged the EU that they can assist us by removing the sanctions or talking to other people who continue to have sanctions against us and they indicated that they have removed most of the sanctions they have against us.”