When Swedish Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson heads the EU Troika visiting Zimbabwe on 12–13 September, the agenda includes a meeting with Morgan Tsvangirai, Prime Minister of Zimbabwe. “The meeting is an important continuation of the political dialogue between the EU and Zimbabwe that was resumed this summer”, says Gunilla Carlsson. “We want it to be clear to all parties involved that we expect the power-sharing agreement and democratic reforms to really be implemented.”

The Troika delegation includes the EU Commissioner for Development Policy, Karel De Gucht, a representative from the General Secretariat of the Council of the European Union and a representative from the incoming Spanish Presidency.

The purpose of the meeting is to meet the signatories to the power-sharing agreement (General Political Agreement), which was signed a year ago, who are now members of the coalition government, in order to push for the actual implementation of the agreed reforms. The delegation will also be meeting other important political actors and representatives from civil society.

Democratic reforms aim of agreement

The power-sharing agreement involves the implementation of a number of fundamental democratic reforms. These reforms include respect for Human rights and the rule of law, as well as the full freedom of the press and a cessation of politically motivated violence.
“There have not yet been clear positive developments in all areas. I am still concerned at the lack of democratic development”, says Gunilla Carlsson.

No sanctions, but restrictions

The EU has not imposed sanctions on Zimbabwe, but in the early years of the 21st century a number of restrictive measures were imposed. Now these restrictions apply to over 200 Zimbabweans guilty of violating human rights and obstructing democratic development as well as to certain companies linked to these individuals. These measures, travel restrictions and the freezing of assets within the EU, are taken in response to the negative developments concerning democracy and respect for human rights in the country.

The restrictive measures also mean that neither the EU nor Sweden provides development assistance directly to or via the country’s government. , Considerable humanitarian support is, however, provided directly to the suffering people of Zimbabwe and to democratic actors in civil society.