adminand pressed for the unconditional lifting of sanctions imposed on the country.
Speaking to ZBC News from Brussels last night, a member of the delegation, the Minister of Justice and Legal Affairs, Patrick Chinamasa, said his delegation engaged the EU boss to lift the embargo.
“The delegation of Ministers made up of myself, Mrs Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga and Mr Elton Mangoma met Mrs Ashton and called for the lifting of the sanctions. We found no justification for these sanctions to remain,” said Minister Chinamasa.
He, however, said although the EU boss could not give a position over the issue, she promised that the 27-member bloc would meet in July to consider the matter.
“In her response she said she has no power to make a decision now but said the member states would meet in July to review the process. She said she will look into the matter and a decision would be taken by the EU Commission,” said Minister Chinamasa.
The delegation of ministers from the three political parties in the inclusive Government left the country on Tuesday evening on a mission to engage the EU over sanctions.
Minister Chinamasa represents Zanu-PF, Minister Elton Mangoma MDC-T and Minister Misihairabwi-Mushonga MDC.
The EU is on record acknowledging improvement in the running of the country’s affairs and Zimbabwe insists that the illegal economic sanctions, which are adversely affecting economic growth, should be lifted immediately.
A decade ago the EU, under the instigation of Britain, slapped Zimbabwe with economic sanctions after the country embarked on the historic land reform programme that saw thousands of landless Zimbabweans being resettled in the fertile land previously owned by whites.
Senior Government ministers, local companies and individuals including journalists were also slapped with travel restrictions under the same banner.
However, in the past years the EU block has softened its stance on Zimbabwe with the removal of 71 people in February this year from the sanctions list.
The EU Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Mr Aldo Dell-Ariccia is on record saying the EU member states were willing to engage in dialogue with Harare in a bid to mend the tattered bilateral relations and help revive the economy.
Over the years Zimbabwe has been unable to access lines of credit from the international financiers due to the illegal sanctions.
Last year President Mugabe launched the Anti-Sanctions Petition Campaign that saw more than two million people appending their signatures against the embargo.
Sadc, Comesa, the African Union, the Non Aligned Movement have also denounced the illegal sanctions.
Online Reporter