Zimbabwe / European Union / Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union on Zimbabwe

 

HARARE, Zimbabwe, July 4, 2008/African Press Organization (APO)/ — As the Presidency stated on 28 June 2008, the EU deeply regrets that the Zimbabweanpeople were unable to vote freely in the run-off presidential elections, which the UNSecretary-General had asked to be deferred. It reiterates the unacceptability of thecampaign of violence which the UN Security Council condemned on 23 June and whichturned the election into a denial of democracy.

The EU commends the efforts being made by the African Union, and notes the resolution

adopted following the African Union Summit in Sharm el-Sheikh on 1 July, calling for the

creation of a government of national unity. The European Union will only accept a formula

which respects the will of the Zimbabwean people, as expressed in the elections of 29

March 2008, which saw the MDC and Mr Morgan Tsvangirai win. The result of this vote

must serve as a basis for a political settlement. The EU encourages the SADC and

President Mbeki to step up their efforts to foster this process. The transition period must be

as short as possible.

The EU emphasises the role which the United Nations could play in finding a solution to

the crisis.

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The objective of any solution must be to reconsult the Zimbabwean people on a free,

democratic and transparent basis as quickly as possible. Only this can provide a long-term

response to the serious difficulties currently being faced in Zimbabwe, which are

threatening regional stability.

The EU, which cannot accept the fait accompli of the outcome of the vote of 27 June, calls

for an immediate end to all forms of violence. It intends to offer its support to the

Zimbabwean people, and is prepared to examine any appropriate individual measures

against the perpetrators of violence at the earliest possible opportunity.

The Candidate Countries Turkey, Croatia* and the former Yugoslav Republic of

Macedonia*, the Countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential

candidates Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and the EFTA countries

Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, as well as

Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova, Armenia and Georgia align themselves with this

declaration.

* Croatia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia continue to be part of the

Stabilisation and Association Process.

 

SOURCE : European Council