VISITING German Economic Co-operation and Development minister Dirk Niebel yesterday said his country was committed to seeing Zimbabwe conducting free and fair elections next year. REPORT BY MOSES MATENGA STAFF REPORTER
He said his country stood ready to back the European Union if it decided to dispatch election observers. Niebel made the remarks following his meetings with Vice-President Joice Mujuru, Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, Finance minister Tendai Biti and Energy minister Elton Mangoma.
“We spoke about Zimbabwe reaching a critical point of democratic elections and we called for a free and fair election in Zimbabwe,” he said.
“We spoke on the need for a non-violent election and that the violence like in 2008 should not happen again and I emphasised that in my talks. Germany supports the mediation of Sadc.”
He, however, attacked government economic policies saying they scared away investors Niebel said his visit, the first by a German minister over the past 15 years, did not signify normalised relations.
“The government does not guarantee protection of Germany companies in Zimbabwe,” he said. “Zimbabwe has investment potential. If a country has 100% security for investment, investors will go to a country with 100% protection.”
Niebel said he had no plans to meet President Robert Mugabe as his country had no government-to-government relations with Zimbabwe.
Tsvangirai said their discussion had largely centred on the constitution-making process and the need to ensure free and fair elections next year.
