SW Radio Africa news - The Independent Voice of Zimbabwe
Mugabe has been invited to the EU-Africa Summit, slated for April in Brussels, which some observers say signals a softening attitude towards Zimbabwe.
EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton is quoted as telling the European Parliament on Tuesday that, “it does seem a time to move forward and the sense is that Zimbabwe is moving … we need to respond.”
Speaking to SW Radio Africa on Wednesday the EU Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Aldo Dell’Arricia, said he was surprised about the reports detailing the impending EU decision.
“I am really surprised at this information and that the news agency is informed about something even before a decision on the matter has been reached by the European Council,” the diplomat said.
Dell’Arricia said statements by foreign policy chief Ashton are part of the EU Council assessments of the situation in Zimbabwe, and do not mean that a decision has been made.
“The decision of the Council hasn’t been taken and that’s why I am surprised that it’s being presented as the decision of the European Council.”
He said the EU decision will be guided by their assessments of all life in Zimbabwe, including the political element, the human rights situation, as well as the rule of law.
“We will also focus on the elements that provoked in the first instance the imposition of the measures and all this will be done taking into account the reports from the embassies of member states on the ground,” Dell’Arricia added.