The EU has noticed Zimbabwe is making big steps forward with its constitutional changes. This opens doors for better teamwork between Zimbabwe and the EU, according to Polish official Mr. Radoslaw Sikorski. Since the Second Republic started, Zimbabwe and the EU have become friendlier thanks to President Mnangagwa reaching out to countries that used to be unfriendly. Mr. Sikorski serves as Poland's Foreign Affairs Minister and recently visited to lead the SADC-EU Ministerial Partnership talks in Harare.
His trip marked the first high-ranking EU visit in almost twenty years. During an interview last Saturday evening, the EU representative mentioned relations were heading in a good direction. He stated they watched Zimbabwe's constitutional progress closely and with support. When talking about EU sanctions, Mr. Sikorski explained that only an arms embargo remains active. The EU recently removed Zimbabwe Defence Industries from its sanctions list as relations between Harare and Brussels continue to improve.
Mr. Sikorski clarified there are no restrictions except the arms embargo. He mentioned a system exists where the more Zimbabwe progresses, the faster any remaining restrictions will disappear. He believes they have moved forward positively. EU Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Mr. Jobst von Kirchmann, added comments about sanctions, expressing hope for lifting the remaining arms embargo soon. The Ambassador emphasized that no asset freezes exist anymore.
The EU described Zimbabwe's current work to clear its debts as positive. Back in 2022, Zimbabwe started the High-Level Structured Dialogue Platform on Arrears Clearance and Debt Resolution, which has created good results toward paying off the country's debts. Mr. Sikorski mentioned they view parts of this process as positive. Ambassador von Kirchmann added there have been several positive signs, especially regarding land issues. He specifically pointed to the historic payment of farmers' compensation as something the EU has publicly praised.
His trip marked the first high-ranking EU visit in almost twenty years. During an interview last Saturday evening, the EU representative mentioned relations were heading in a good direction. He stated they watched Zimbabwe's constitutional progress closely and with support. When talking about EU sanctions, Mr. Sikorski explained that only an arms embargo remains active. The EU recently removed Zimbabwe Defence Industries from its sanctions list as relations between Harare and Brussels continue to improve.
Mr. Sikorski clarified there are no restrictions except the arms embargo. He mentioned a system exists where the more Zimbabwe progresses, the faster any remaining restrictions will disappear. He believes they have moved forward positively. EU Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Mr. Jobst von Kirchmann, added comments about sanctions, expressing hope for lifting the remaining arms embargo soon. The Ambassador emphasized that no asset freezes exist anymore.
The EU described Zimbabwe's current work to clear its debts as positive. Back in 2022, Zimbabwe started the High-Level Structured Dialogue Platform on Arrears Clearance and Debt Resolution, which has created good results toward paying off the country's debts. Mr. Sikorski mentioned they view parts of this process as positive. Ambassador von Kirchmann added there have been several positive signs, especially regarding land issues. He specifically pointed to the historic payment of farmers' compensation as something the EU has publicly praised.
