Harare - The European Union will resume development and finance cooperation with Zimbabwe this weekend when part of the sanctions imposed on President Robert Mugabe's government over rights abuses expire, its envoy to Harare announced Thursday.
“The EU Council confirms that appropriate measures will indeed be lifted this weekend,” EU ambassador Philippe Van Damme, told journalists in Harare.
He said beginning next year until 2020 the EU will inject $300
million in development aid targeting health, agriculture and governance.
“We have reached a very important stage in the normalisation of our relations with Zimbabwe,” Van Damme said. “We can now fully engage on development policies of this government.”
“We have to find ways to rebuild trust. Let's move forward towards normalisation of relations,” he said while warning that change will not happen overnight.
“It will take time to rebuild trust.”
For now the EU would keep the sanctions against Mugabe and several members of his inner circle and will review them in February.
The Mugabe-targeted sanctions, which include an arms embargo, asset freeze and travel restrictions, were imposed in 2002 over rights violations.
Over the years, the European bloc has lifted the restrictions on some individuals and entities but Mugabe has said he wants the total removal of the sanctions.
The government did not comment on the EU announcement.
Sapa-AFP