The European Union will not interfere with Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe’s redeployment of ambassadors, the recently appointed EU ambassador to Zimbabwe Aldo Dell’Ariccia said.
Dell’Ariccia said the posting of diplomats should be left to individual sovereign states, Zimbabwe’s Herald Online reported on Monday.
“This is a reflection of internal matters, which must be dealt with internally,” said Dell’ Ariccia shortly after making his contribution on the sanctions on Zimbabwe debate organised by a local NGO.
In his contribution, Dell’Ariccia said the EU would continue engaging Zimbabwe because it was strategic to the bloc’s economic interests.
Early last month, Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai wrote letters to the United Nations, EU and South Africa demanding the expulsion of some recently redeployed diplomats in those countries.
MDC secretary general Professor Welshman Ncube on Sunday said problems could not be solved by writing letters to foreigners or addressing rallies.
“Yes, there are problems but they cannot be solved in the media or by writing letters to foreigners but through negotiations,” he said.
“We do not subscribe to those letters written to various international bodies and governments because we believe in dialogue,” he said.
A fortnight ago, the United Nations dismissed the MDC-T leader’s plea for the world body not to recognise the deployment of ambassador Chitsaka Chipaziwa as Zimbabwe’s permanent representative to the UN in New York.
UN deputy spokesperson Farham Haq brushed aside Tsvangirai’s letter, arguing Chipaziwa was properly accredited.
“The appointment of an ambassador is an internal matter for a member state which is to be decided upon in accordance with the provisions of its own domestic law.
“Ambassador Chipaziwa was properly accredited as permanent representative of the Republic of Zimbabwe to the United Nations headquarters in New York on 28 June 2010. We will be bound by the letter of his accreditation until advised otherwise by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,” he said. – Sapa