EU - Zimbabwe - talks

EU delegation meets with Mugabe for first time in seven years

Article published on the 2009-09-13 Latest update 2009-09-13 12:35 TU

Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe at the EU meeting in Harare
(Photo : Reuters)

A delegation from the European Union met with Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe to discuss the progress of the power-sharing deal but pushed for more reforms during its first visit to the country in seven years. The talks were also focused on guaranteeing political and media freedom.

"The implementation must be conducted in a good way," said Swedish Development Minister Gunilla Carlsson. "We have discussed accusations of human rights violations, the need for free media and some other things," she added.

One issue not discussed with Mugabe was international sanctions. Mugabe and other key members of his Zanu-Pf party is still under an assets and an EU travel ban.

"I was always disappointed that sanctions have been imposed upon the government," Mugabe said after the meeting. He told reporters the meeting had gone well, however, even after he had lashed out at "bloody whites" on Friday for meddling in his country.

On Saturday he said that his problem was not with the west, but with Great Britain. "I am a person the British don't like," said Mugabe.

The EU continues to maintain that Zimbabwe's mismanagement and poor human rights record are what prevents it from being taken off teh sanctions list.

The delegation also met separately with Zimbabwe Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai on Saturday to discuss the state of the unity government.

Tsvangirai is hosting a huge rally on Sunday to mark the 10th anniversary of his party the Movement for Democratic Change.