Council Conclusions on Zimbabwe, 2920th General Affairs Council of EU Foreign Ministers meeting, Brussels, January 26 2009

The Council adopted the following conclusions:

"1. The situation in Zimbabwe has deteriorated in a manner that stands in stark contrast to the duties and responsibilities of Governments, according to global and regional standards and charters, not least the SADC principles and charters. The victims of this misrule are the Zimbabwean people. The Council condemns the regime for its ongoing failure to address the most basic economic and social needs of its people.

2. The Council views with particular distress the escalation of the humanitarian crisis including the cholera epidemic that has taken the lives of so many Zimbabweans and that threatens the health security of the neighbouring countries and of the region as a whole. The Council reiterates its deep concern at the continued deterioration of economic and social conditions in Zimbabwe.

3. The Council reaffirms the European Union's commitment to the Zimbabwean people through a substantial and long-standing programme of humanitarian aid. The Council demands full respect for the principles of humanitarian aid and, in particular, respect for the principle of impartiality and equal access to humanitarian aid for the entire Zimbabwean population. It underlines the importance of a response by the international community to the humanitarian crisis in Zimbabwe and the urgent needs of the country.

4. The Council considers that only in the context of a durable, equitable, political solution can the economic, social and humanitarian crisis in Zimbabwe be fully addressed. It calls on SADC, the African Union and states in the region to pave actively the way for a truly representative democratic government reflecting the will of the Zimbabwean people expressed in the election of March 2008. The Council urges stakeholders to comply with the power sharing agreement. It condemns the ongoing violations of human rights, in particular the abduction and detention of those exercising a democratic right to express opposition to the regime and of those defending human rights.

5. The Council has decided to extend, for another year, the Common Position on restrictive measures against Zimbabwe. It has further decided to add to its list of persons and entities subject to those measures additional persons and entities that are actively associated with the violence or human rights infringements of the regime.

6. The Council notes with concern the growing trade in illicit diamonds that provide financial support to the regime. In this context, it also condemns the violence inflicted by statesponsored forces on diamond panners and dealers at Marange/Chiadzwa. The Council supports action to investigate the exploitation of diamonds from the site at Marange/Chiadzwa and their significance in possible financial support to the regime and recent human rights abuses. It calls on the Kimberley Process to take action with a view to ensure Zimbabwe's compliance with its Kimberley obligations.

7. The Council reaffirms that the European Union stands ready to support the economic and social recovery of Zimbabwe once a government reflecting the will of the Zimbabwean people has been formed and shows tangible signs of a return to respect for human rights, the rule of law and macroeconomic stabilization."

Statement issued by the European Union council of foreign ministers, Brussels, January 26 2009

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