Declaration by the Presidency on the situation in Zimbabwe
- On: 31.10.2008
The Presidency of the Council of the European Union expresses its concern about the deadlock in the ongoing negotiations on the forming of a National Unity Government in Zimbabwe. The Extra-ordinary Summit of the Troika of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) failed to help start the implementation of the political agreement signed on 15 September 2008 in support of the mediation by Mr Thabo Mbeki.
The Presidency of the Council of the European Union maintains its support for the mediation of the SADC and welcomes its intention to call an urgent meeting of all SADC Member States in order to arrive at a political solution to the crisis. The Presidency stresses the necessity of switfly opening up the new political process provided for in the September 15 Agreement and made indispensable owing to the continuous degradation of the economic, social and humanitarian situation. The Presidency welcomes the active commitment of the African Union and the United Nations in this connection and encourages them to pursue their action.
The Presidency of the Council of the European Union recalls the ongoing commitment of the European Union alongside the people of Zimbabwe. It recalls that it is prepared, as soon as a credible National Unity Government has been formed and enabled the restoration of the rule of law and respect for human rights, to adopt a set of measures in support of the consolidation of democracy and the economic and social recovery of Zimbabwe.
- Updated: 23.12.2008
