Declaration by the High Representative, Catherine Ashton, on behalf of the European Union with regard to the successful Constitutional referendum in Zimbabwe and the review of EU restrictive measures

Home> Resources> News from the EU> 2013> Declaration by the High Representative, Catherine Ashton, on behalf of the European Union with regard to the successful Constitutional referendum in Zimbabwe and the review of EU restrictive measures

Declaration by the High Representative, Catherine Ashton, on behalf of the European Union with regard to the successful Constitutional referendum in Zimbabwe and the review of EU restrictive measures

EU News 149/2013

Brussels, 25 March 2013
7864/13
PRESSE 133

The EU congratulates the people of Zimbabwe on a peaceful, successful and credible vote to approve a new constitution on 16 March 2013. This represents a significant step in the implementation of the Global Political Agreement (GPA) which remains key to achieving a more peaceful, prosperous and democratic Zimbabwe.

The EU reiterates its support to the efforts of the political parties, the South African Facilitation Team and SADC, and encourages them to build on the momentum to complete the implementation of the GPA and the SADC Roadmap, paving the way for peaceful, transparent and credible elections in which the people of Zimbabwe will be free to elect the Government of their choice.

Recognising the importance of the referendum and the adoption of a new constitution as a major step along this road the EU, in line with its commitment to suspend a majority of remaining restrictive measures, has today agreed to immediately suspend the application of measures against 81 individuals and 8 entities.

Source: http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_data/docs/pressdata/en/cfsp/136501.pdf