Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 785: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position regarding Zimbabwe; if discussions have taken place at EU level regarding the lifting of international sanctions against Zimbabwe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31193/09]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The situation in Zimbabwe continues to be of great concern to the Government and to the European Union as a whole. The formation of a unity government in Zimbabwe in February though it fell well short of the solution required for Zimbabwe's problems, was nonetheless a sign of some modest political progress. However, seven months on, and despite some improvements in the economic sphere, the situation in Zimbabwe remains very fragile. I am gravely concerned by reports of continuing human rights violations, arbitrary arrests, torture of prisoners and abuse of the rule of law. The lack of real progress on many issues vital to Zimbabwe's recovery and the failure to reform media laws to allow for meaningful press freedom are causes of ongoing concern.

A particular concern is the continued failure of President Mugabe to address the issue of senior government appointments in a manner consistent with the September 2008 power-sharing agreement. The retention of Gideon Gono as Governor of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe and Johannes Tomana as Attorney General is detrimental to the interests of the country; their removal is vital to the building of confidence among international donors and investors.

Ireland has worked closely with our EU partners in developing a consistent approach to Zimbabwe. In keeping with other international donors, we do not provide funding to the Zimbabwean Government, but respond to the humanitarian needs of the Zimbabwean people through support for the work of multilateral and non-governmental organisations. Thus far in 2009, Ireland has committed funding of over €5 million to a range of humanitarian programmes in Zimbabwe, focussed on food security, tackling HIV and AIDS and supporting civil society organisations who provide essential services for the population.

The EU has repeatedly stated its willingness to re-engage with the Zimbabwean Government. Re-engagement, however, remains conditional on the agreed goals set out in the power-sharing agreement being met. These include full access to humanitarian assistance, restoration of the rule of law, commitment to the democratic process, respect for human rights and commitment to macroeconomic stabilisation.

Following the visit to Brussels last June by Zimbabwe's Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, a high-level European delegation travelled to Zimbabwe last weekend, the first such visit in seven years. The EU delegation said relations with the country were entering a "new phase" but full cooperation hinged on the implementation of a power-sharing deal. The delegation noted that the Global Political Agreement (GPA) was an important step forward, but that much still needs to be done. The delegation also said that the EU will not consider lifting targeted sanctions against Zimbabwe until sufficient progress is made on the implementation of the GPA, in particular until human rights abuses are ended.

Zimbabwe's neighbours have a critical role to play in encouraging reform, and can bring the greatest influence to bear in achieving progress in implementing the power sharing agreement. It is disappointing therefore that the discussions on the implementation of the GPA that were scheduled to take place at the recent Summit of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) in Kinshasa, which President Mugabe attended, were deferred.

Ireland and the EU will continue to monitor the situation, and maintain contacts with key African partners, including the African Union and the Southern African Development Community. It is vital for the future of Zimbabwe that the unity government delivers on the promise of reform, and secures for Zimbabwe's people real political freedoms, a return to the rule of law and economic development. Ireland will continue to work with our partners in the international community to encourage progress in these areas.