NEW European Union (EU) ambassador to Zimbabwe, Philippe Van Damme, has said the adoption of a new Constitution last year was a major catalyst in the bloc lifting sanctions on Harare with the aim being the normalisation of relations between the two parties.
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Van Damme was speaking at a media briefing for journalists on his first visit to Bulawayo since his appointment.
“The Constitution, which was overwhelmingly endorsed by the population, was an important catalyst factor in accelerating the lifting of appropriate measures,” he said on Monday.
“We are keen on full normalisation of relations, but we still have several steps to take.”
Van Damme said the restoration of normal relations required genuine mutual trust from both sides.
“This requires further confidence-building measures on both sides and we are working on that,” he said.
The envoy said the European bloc was assisting the government with its reform agendas, both on political and economic levels.
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“On the political front, we are assisting in aligning the new Constitution, we can help the Parliament, Zimbabwe Electoral Commission and other institutional bodies,” he said.
“These are key steps as they make developmental co-operation much easier and effective.”
Van Damme dismissed reports that the expanded Chinese influence in the country, through its investments, had alarmed EU that it would be crowded out on trade.
“I have seen some publications suggesting that the lifting of those measures was a result of EU being afraid of China investment in Zimbabwe,” he said.
“I can assure you that is not the case, the more investors Africa and Zimbabwe have the better.”
