A member of the European Parliament, Fulvio Martusciello, an Italian national, has called for the removal of economic sanctions that were imposed by the Western world on Zimbabwe.
Martusciello made the call while commenting on the recently held by-elections which he described as free and fair.
He urged Europe to restore normal relations with Zimbabwe to prevent the southern African country from becoming a partner with Russia. Said Martusciello:
The 26th of March elections in Zimbabwe have been observed by various EU observers and they took place under peaceful conditions and democracy was respected.
It would seem that the clashes of the past are behind us…should we, therefore, reassess the role of Zimbabwe, and Europe should perhaps make efforts to bring Zimbabwe back into relations with Europe, so it would not be interested in being a partner of (Russian President Vladimir) Putin.
I think Zimbabwe deserves the opportunity in fact of having discussions with us, perhaps the sanctions that have been imposed could be lifted because Zimbabwe is fighting Islamic jihadism in Africa.