EU allocates 138 million Euros for Zimbabwe development

By Tererai Karimakwenda
29 September 2010

The European Union Delegation to Zimbabwe released a statement on Wednesday that said a large sum of money had been allocated to assist with development projects in Zimbabwe, as recognition of the progress made by the three political parties in implementing the Global Political Agreement (GPA).

The statement said that Catherine Ashton, Vice President of the European Commission, had informed the Zimbabwe government on Tuesday that 138 million Euros had been provisionally allocated.

The statement read: “While the EU recognizes there are still serious challenges in the implementation of the GPA, it remains fully committed to the Government of National Unity and in acknowledgment of the progress made has informed Zimbabwe that €130 million could become available under the 10th European Development Fund. In addition, a complementary envelope of € 8.6 million would be available to Zimbabwe to cover unforeseen needs such as emergency assistance.”

According to the statement the funds are in addition to 365 million Euros that the EU has already given to Zimbabwe since the signing of the GPA. “The EU will follow the ongoing constitutional and electoral reform processes with great interest,” the statement said.

Christian Leffler, EU Deputy Director General for Development, confirmed to SW Radio Africa that the funds had been set aside and the next step was to develop a strategy for its use, along with local organisations and government.

Asked whether the EU was aware of the violence that had erupted in Zimbabwe and the issues that remain in fulfilling the GPA, Leffler said the money was for humanitarian assistance.
He added: “I can see that concern. At the same time we must be careful not to punish people anywhere in the world, be it Zimbabwe or any other country, for the possible failings of their leaders.”

Meanwhile South African President Jacob Zuma on Wednesday urged European parliamentarians to lift sanctions against Zimbabwe, saying this would help the country work through its political problems.
Zuma said that lifting sanctions would give a chance to the efforts being made and “empower the Southern African Development Community to do more on Zimbabwe”. But he did not explain how the sanctions, which involve a travel ban and assets freeze on Mugabe and his close associates, are preventing ZANU PF from fulfilling what they agreed to in the GPA.

Addressing the issue of sanctions, Leffler said the EU keeps the situation in Zimbabwe under constant review and wherever there is significant progress they are willing to support the process. He acknowledged that there were problems to overcome but insisted that the people needed to be helped in the meantime.