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10.8.2012 Official
Journal
of
the
European
Union L
213/13
DECISIONS
COUNCIL DECISION
of 7 August 2012
extending the validity of Decision 2012/96/EU and suspending the application of the appropriate
measures set out in Decision 2002/148/EC
(2012/470/EU)
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
(3)
The Union recognises the creation of the Government of
National Unity in Zimbabwe as an opportunity to re-
establish a constructive relationship between the Union
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European
and Zimbabwe and to support the implementation of
Union,
Zimbabwe’s reform programme.
(4) By
means
of
Council
Decision
2012/97/CFSP
of
Having regard to the Partnership Agreement between the
17 February 2012 amending Decision 2011/101/CFSP
members of the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of
concerning restrictive measures against Zimbabwe ( 6 ),
States of the one part, and the European Community and its
the Union took a significant decision to relax parallel
Member States, of the other part, signed in Cotonou on 23 June
CFSP sanctions on individuals with a view to
2000 ( 1 ) and as last revised in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, on
encouraging further progress and thereby demonstrating
23 June 2010 ( 2 ), hereinafter referred to as ‘the Cotonou Agree
its strong commitment to the Global Political Agreement
ment’, and in particular Article 96 thereof,
process. The high level consultations held in Brussels
with the Zimbabwe Ministerial re-engagement team in
May 2012 constitute an important step forward in this
Having regard to the Internal Agreement between the represen
re-engagement process.
tatives of the governments of the Member States, meeting
within the Council, on measures to be taken and procedures
to be followed for the implementation of the Cotonou Agree
(5) The
Union
continues
to
support
the
ongoing
efforts
of
ment (
the Government of National Unity in implementing the

3 ), and in particular Article 3 thereof,
Global Political Agreement, and welcomes the progress
made in Zimbabwe to stabilise the economy and restore
social services. The Union also continues to support the
Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,
facilitation efforts led by South Africa on behalf of the
Southern African Development Community.
Whereas:
(6) To
demonstrate
the
Union’s
continued
commitment
to
the Global Political Agreement process, it is appropriate
(1) By
Decision
2002/148/EC
(
to extend the validity of Decision 2012/96/EU, while,

4 ), consultations with the
Republic of Zimbabwe under Article 96(2)(c) of the
however, suspending the application of the appropriate
Cotonou Agreement were concluded and appropriate
measures limiting cooperation under Article 96 of the
measures, as specified in the Annex to that Decision,
Cotonou Agreement for a period of 12 months.
were taken. These measures have since been adapted
and their period of application extended each year.
(7)
Should there be a deterioration of the state of democracy,
human rights and the rule of law in Zimbabwe, the
Union could re-impose these appropriate measures
(2) By
Decision
2012/96/EU
( 5 ) the appropriate measures
and/or other measures at any time,
were adapted and their period of application extended
for six months until 20 August 2012.
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
( 1 ) OJ L 317, 15.12.2000, p. 3.
( 2 ) OJ L 287, 4.11.2010, p. 3.
( 3 ) OJ L 317, 15.12.2000, p. 376.
Article 1
( 4 ) Council Decision of 18 February 2002 concluding consultations
with Zimbabwe under Article 96 of the ACP-EC Partnership
The validity of Decision 2012/96/EU and of its appropriate
Agreement (OJ L 50, 21.2.2002, p. 64).
measures is hereby extended until 20 August 2013. However,
( 5 ) Council Decision of 17 February 2012 adapting and extending the
the application of the appropriate measures is hereby
period of application of the appropriate measures first established by
suspended.
Decision 2002/148/EC concluding consultations with Zimbabwe
under Article 96 of the ACP-EC Partnership Agreement (OJ L 47,
18.2.2012, p. 47).
( 6 ) OJ L 47, 18.2.2012, p. 50.

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L 213/14
EN
Official Journal of the European Union
10.8.2012
The appropriate measures shall be kept under constant review
Article 3
and shall be applied again if the situation in Zimbabwe is to
seriously deteriorate. Such measures shall in any event be
This Decision shall be published in the Official Journal of the
reviewed six months after the entry into force of this Decision.
European Union.
The letter annexed to this Decision shall be addressed to the
President of Zimbabwe, Mr Mugabe, and copied to Prime
Done at Brussels, 7 August 2012.
Minister Tsvangirai and Mr Welshman Ncube.
For the Council
Article 2
The President
This Decision shall enter into force on the day of its adoption.
A. D. MAVROYIANNIS

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EN
10.8.2012 Official
Journal
of
the
European
Union L
213/15
ANNEX
LETTER TO THE PRESIDENT OF ZIMBABWE
In a letter dated 19 February 2002, the European Union informed you of its decision to conclude the consultations held
under Article 96 of the Cotonou Agreement and to take appropriate measures within the meaning of Article 96(2)(c) of
that Agreement. In a letter dated 23 February 2012, the European Union informed you of its decision to further extend
the period of application of those measures until 20 August 2012.
The European Union is encouraged by the progress that is being made in implementing the Global Political Agreement by
the Government of National Unity in Zimbabwe. The European Union reiterates the great importance it attaches to the
political dialogue provided for in Article 8 of the Cotonou Agreement and which, at the request of the Government of
Zimbabwe, was officially launched at the EU-Zimbabwe Ministerial Troika in June 2009 in Brussels. As agreed by both
parties, the main objective of the Article 8 dialogue is to normalise EU-Zimbabwe relations along with the implemen
tation of the reforms foreseen in the Global Political Agreement and to pave the way for peaceful and credible elections.
The European Union welcomes the constructive dialogue that has been established in the process of EU re-engagement
with all parties in the Government of National Unity, including through the meeting in May this year between High
Representative Ashton and the members of the Zimbabwe Ministerial Re-engagement Committee. The European Union
welcomes the continued commitment of SADC to support the implementation of the Global Political Agreement, as
expressed at the recent extraordinary SADC Summit in Luanda.
The steps taken by the Government of National Unity to improve the freedom and prosperity of the Zimbabwean people
justify the immediate suspension of the measures hitherto applied under Article 96 of the Cotonou Agreement. This will
allow the European Union to work directly with the Government of National Unity and to develop new assistance
programmes for the benefit of the people of Zimbabwe under the next European Development Fund. In this context, and
in line with efforts supporting Zimbabwe’s re-engagement with the international financial institutions and the signing of
an interim Economic Partnership Agreement, the European Investment Bank also envisages to re-launch development
activities with the private sector in Zimbabwe.
The European Union welcomes the recent visit to Zimbabwe of the UN HCHR at the invitation of the Government of
National Unity. The European Union attaches the utmost importance to the provisions of Article 9 of the Cotonou
Agreement, since respect for human rights, democratic institutions and the rule of law constitutes the essential basis of
EU-Zimbabwe relations and the European Union will continue to closely follow the situation in Zimbabwe. It recognises
the improvement that has been achieved in the human rights situation although significant areas of concern remain.
As indicated in February this year and consistent with its incremental approach, the European Union will further adjust its
policy to recognise progress as it is made by the Zimbabwean parties along the SADC roadmap.
The European Union reaffirms its partnership with the people of Zimbabwe. The present European Union decision to
suspend the application of the appropriate measures and re-engage in further dialogue and cooperation with the
Government of National Unity is intended to provide additional impetus in enhancing EU-Zimbabwe relations, with
the aim of normalising bilateral relations. The European Union calls on all parties to seize the momentum to complete
implementation of the Global Political Agreement.
Yours faithfully,
For the Council
For the Commission
C. ASHTON
A. PIEBALGS

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