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18.2.2012 Official
Journal
of
the
European
Union L
47/47
COUNCIL DECISION
of 17 February 2012
adapting and extending the period of application of the appropriate measures first established by
Decision 2002/148/EC concluding consultations with Zimbabwe under Article 96 of the ACP-EC
Partnership Agreement
(2012/96/EU)
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
(5) The
European
Union
recognises
the
efforts
made
by
the
Southern African Development Community and South
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European
Africa, as facilitators of the Global Political Agreement,
Union, and in particular Article 217 thereof,
to establish an environment conducive to credible elec
tions. The completion of a peaceful referendum on the
Having regard to the Partnership Agreement between the
Constitution would represent an important part of this
members of the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of
process,
States, of the one part, and the European Community and its
Member States, of the other part, signed in Cotonou on 23 June
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
2000 ( 1 ), as first amended in Luxembourg on 25 June 2005 ( 2 ),
and amended for the second time in Ouagadougou on 23 June
2010 (
Article 1

3 ), hereinafter referred to as 'the ACP-EU Partnership
Agreement', and in particular Article 96 thereof,
The measures referred to in the letter annexed to this Decision
are hereby maintained as appropriate measures within the
Having regard to the Internal Agreement between the represen
meaning of Article 96(2)(c) of the ACP-EU Partnership
tatives of the governments of the Member States, meeting
Agreement.
within the Council, on measures to be taken and procedures
to be followed for the implementation of the ACP-EC Part
nership Agreement (
Those measures shall apply for a period of 6 months from

4 ), and in particular Article 3 thereof,
20 February 2012 until 20 August 2012. They shall be kept
Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,
under constant review and shall be reassessed in light of
concrete progress in the implementation of the Global
Whereas:
Political Agreement and the preparation of peaceful and

credible elections.
(1) By
Council
Decision
2002/148/EC
( 5 ), the consultations
with the Republic of Zimbabwe under Article 96(2)(c) of
The letter annexed to this Decision shall be addressed to the
the ACP-EU Partnership Agreement were concluded and
President of Zimbabwe, Mr Mugabe, and copied to Prime
appropriate measures, as specified in the Annex to that
Minister Tsvangirai and Mr Welshman Ncube.
Decision, were taken. Those measures have been
extended each year since then.
Article 2
(2) By
Council
Decision
2011/106/EU
(
This Decision shall enter into force on the day of its adoption.

6 ), the period of
application of the measures was extended for a further
period of 12 months until 20 February 2012.
Article 3
(3)
In the meantime, the creation of the Government of
This Decision shall be published in the Official Journal of the
National Unity (GNU) has been recognised as an oppor
European Union.
tunity to re-establish a constructive relationship between
the European Union and Zimbabwe and to support the
implementation of its reform programme.
Done at Brussels, 17 February 2012.
(4)
While the overall situation has improved, the implemen
tation of political reforms remains slow, and certain
For the Council
essential elements of the ACP-EU Partnership Agreement,
to which the GNU had committed in the Global Political
The President
Agreement, still need to be implemented.
M. SAREEN
( 1 ) OJ L 317, 15.12.2000, p. 3.
( 2 ) OJ L 209, 11.8.2005, p. 27.
( 3 ) OJ L 287, 4.11.2010, p. 3.
( 4 ) OJ L 317, 15.12.2000, p. 376.
( 5 ) OJ L 50, 21.2.2002, p. 64.
( 6 ) OJ L 43, 17.2.2011, p 31.

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L 47/48
EN
Official Journal of the European Union
18.2.2012
ANNEX
LETTER TO THE PRESIDENT OF ZIMBABWE
The European Union attaches the utmost importance to the provisions of Article 9 of the ACP-EU Partnership
Agreement. As essential elements of the Partnership Agreement, respect for human rights, democratic institutions and
the rule of law form the basis of our relations.
By letter of 19 February 2002, the European Union informed you of its decision to conclude the consultations held under
Article 96 of the ACP-EU Partnership Agreement and to take appropriate measures within the meaning of Article 96(2)(c)
of that Agreement. By annual letters, the latest one dated 23 February 2011, the European Union informed you of its
decisions not to revoke the appropriate measures and to extend their period of application.
Since its inception in 2009, progress achieved by the Government of National Unity based on the Global Political
Agreement (GPA) has been welcomed by the European Union. The European Union reiterates the great importance it
attaches to the political dialogue provided for in Article 8 of the ACP-EU Partnership Agreement, and officially launched
at the request of the Government of Zimbabwe at the EU-Zimbabwe Ministerial Troika on 18-19 June 2009 in Brussels.
As agreed by both parties, the objective of this political dialogue is to progressively normalise EU-Zimbabwe relations
along the implementation of the reforms foreseen in the GPA, paving the way for peaceful and credible elections.
As part of its overall re-engagement process, the European Union has taken steps towards easing measures applying to
Zimbabwe. Appropriate measures were modified to allow support to institutions and processes related to the implemen
tation of the GPA. The European Union has provided provisional transitional financial assistance in the form of short-
term packages.
Since then, the European Union has continued supporting the ongoing efforts of the Government of National Unity to
implement the GPA, and has welcomed the achievements made in stabilising the economy and restoring basic social
services. However, the European Union still awaits progress on several of the political reforms of the GPA, including the
constitutional process and reforms needed to create a conducive environment for peaceful and credible elections, as well
as progress in the areas of respect for human rights and the rule of law. In this context, the European Union welcomes
the facilitation efforts led by the Republic of South Africa and the Southern African Development Community, and the
establishment of a roadmap agreed by all parties.
The European Union welcomes recent statements made by all Zimbabwean parties against political violence, and remains
hopeful that recent social and economic progress will be complemented by political reforms leading to peaceful and
credible elections.
To further accompany the transitional process, the European Union has decided:
— to extend its appropriate measures set out in Council Decisions 2002/148/EC and 2010/97/CFSP for a reduced period
of 6 months, thereby reiterating the European Union's willingness to reconsider its position at any time following
concrete steps in implementing the Global Political Agreement and in preparing for elections,
— to prepare a Country Strategy Paper in the framework of the European Development Fund to be signed and
implemented as soon as conditions allow.
Meanwhile, the European Union will continue to provide transitional assistance to the economic recovery, social sectors
and the implementation of the GPA.
All the other measures listed in the Annex to Council Decision 2002/148/EC shall continue to apply without changes.
The Council Decision may, if circumstances change, be reviewed at any time prior to 20 August 2012.

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EN
18.2.2012 Official
Journal
of
the
European
Union L
47/49
In the light of the above, the European Union wishes to invite the Government of Zimbabwe to an intensified political
dialogue under Article 8 of the ACP-EU Partnership Agreement in order to define further steps towards normalisation of
EU-Zimbabwe relations. Against this background, the European Union would welcome the visit of the Zimbabwe Re-
engagement Committee to Brussels, which it hopes can be arranged for the near future.
Yours faithfully,
For the Commission
For the Council
…
…

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