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Last week, Zimbabwe went ahead with complying with bilateral trade agreements in agriculture when it pledged to compensate at least 200 farmers from EU countries such as Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark and Australia.
Olkkonen said the EU wants a clear demonstration of respect for the rule of law, particularly property rights.
“The agrarian reform itself is irreversible. But there has been no clear security of tenure and we have seen it through a dysfunctional agricultural sector. If these steps are taken, about agreeing compensation and other issues on the subject, bring clarity [on] land ownership, so that’s a positive move for agriculture to move, ”he said.
After the fall of Robert Mugabe in November 2017, President Emmerson Mnangagwa initially enjoyed the goodwill of the EU. However, it has been a disappointment.
“From a political point of view, there were high expectations that Zimbabwe would change with the reforms that were taking place. The reform process has been significantly slower than we expected at the time, “Olkkonen said.
“In the last two years we have had problems on the human rights agenda. Clearly, whatever is happening will take much longer than we expected.”
Olkkonen explained the EU terms: “We look forward to a more active speech on political and economic policy issues and ways forward. That is very problematic in Zimbabwe. “
TimesLIVE
