The government of the Republic of Zimbabwe takes this opportunity to congratulate the citizens and member states of the European Union on the ocassion of the 70th Anniversary of the Schuman Declaration which set the European Integration project in motion on the 9th of May 1950. Zimbabwe applauds the EU for time-tested evolution into a major cooperating partner, sharing its ideals and providing development support to fight poverty and promote peace and good governance.
In the context of the on-going Political Dialogue with the EU, Zimbabwe reaffirms its commitment to constructive reengagement based on mutual respect and determination to overcome the challenges that have restricted the full restoration of mutually beneficial relations, key among them the sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe that should lifted. The removal of the remaining sanctions will enable Zimbabwe to be fully integrated in the interantional community.
Both sides can attest that cooperation to date in the promotion of health, food security and good governance under the 11th European Development Fund EDF has yielded positive results. This should be consolidation and intensified towards new investment initiatives, trade development and supporting Zimbabwe’s industrial capacity utilization.
Commemorations for Europe Day, like Zimbabwe’s 40th independence anniversary a month earlier have been bloated by the impact of the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic which globally continues to claim thousands of lives, infect millions of people, destroy livelihoods and severely damage our economies.
Zimbabwe commends the EU for it timely response and channelling additional humanitarian assistance to countries such as Zimbabwe to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. With a shared vision for a better life to all our citizens. It is incumbent upon Zimbabwe and the EU along with the entire international community to redouble their efforts and cooperation towards the mobilization of resources in support of economic stimuli and sustainable development for all countries
Lt. Gen (Rtd) Dr S.B Moyo
Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade