German Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Hans Gnodkte, says sanctions imposed by the European Union (EU) on Zanu PF officials and their associated firms can only be lifted on condition the country holds free and fair elections.
Germany is one of the 27 EU members who imposed the targeted sanctions on mostly Zanu PF politicians accusing them of human rights abuses.
In an interview on the sidelines of a book donation at the Great Zimbabwe University yesterday, Gnodkte said his country was ready for dialogue with Zimbabwe.
Gnodtke, however, said Zimbabwe has to meet certain conditions like conducting free and fair polls, as well as abide by the Global Political Agreement (GPA).
“As soon as we have free and fair polls, then the sanctions will be lifted. Another condition is to have the GPA fully consummated,” he said.
His utterances came as the country prepares for the resumption of the planned Zimbabwe-EU re-engagement talks with its erstwhile development friends, the EU.
The Zimbabwe-EU re-engagement talks are expected to resume on May 10 in Brussels, with Zanu PF officials pushing for unconditional complete lifting of the targeted sanctions.
Early this year, the EU delisted from the sanctions list 51 Zanu PF officials and companies linked to the former ruling party arguing they no longer posed a threat to democracy.
