92003E0452

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0452/03

by Frank Vanhecke (NI) to the Council

(19 February 2003)

Subject: Participation of Robert Mugabe at the EU-Africa summit on 3 April

Robert Mugabe, Zimbabwe's dictator, was received by President Chirac at the start of this month despite the international sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe by the European Union in February last year. The sanctions will end on 18 February 2003 but are expected to be extended because Mugabe has failed to make any effort to improve the human rights situation in his country. The United Kingdom is refusing to receive the dictator.

Mugabe is also reported to be attending the EU-Africa summit on 3 April.

Can the Council confirm that Robert Mugabe will be attending the summit?

Does the Council not consider that his participation is incompatible with the sanctions imposed by the Union against Zimbabwe?

Does the Council support the decision by the French diplomatic service to receive Mugabe when London is refusing to do so?

How will the Council ensure that the legal situation of the expropriated white farmers in Zimbabwe is put right in the future?

Reply

(22 July 2003)

When adopting the targeted sanctions against Zimbabwe in February 2002, the Council stated that a certain number of conditions had to be met before the sanctions could be lifted. Since these conditions had still not been met, the Council reaffirmed them when it decided to extend the targeted sanctions on 18 February 2003(1). The Council continues to be concerned about the plight of the Zimbabwean people and remains convinced that the fast-track land reform programme has aggravated the already precarious food situation in the country. In response to the illegal occupation of farms in Zimbabwe, the EU already made a

clear appeal to the government in March 2000 to ensure respect for the law and to maintain public order and civil security. At the same time, the EU reaffirmed its support for orderly and transparent agrarian reform, which respects the rights of all citizens and is compatible with the requirements of Zimbabwe's economic development.

As far as the Lisbon Summit is concerned, it was concluded that it was in the best interests of EU-Africa relations to postpone the summit, which was to be held in Lisbon on 5 April 2003.

As for the organisation of the France-Africa Summit, the Council would inform the Honourable Member that France stated its intention to issue a visa to President Mugabe so that he could attend this summit in accordance with the procedure set out in Common Position 2002/145/CFSP; it was noted that there were no obstacles within the Council to his participation.

(1) OJ L 46, 20.2.2003.