EU urges Zimbabwe to continue reforms

The EU Thursday commended the people of Zimbabwe on the conduct of peaceful elections held in July. A statement by the EU High Representative Catherien Ashton said the 28-member bloc has taken note of the "declaration of the Constitutional Court of Zimbabwe which brings the electoral process to its formal conclusion." The country's constitutional court on Tuesday ruled that the elections held on 31 July had been free and fair. The EU welcomed the constructive role played by the Southern African Development Community, African Union and domestic observers during the electoral process and said it "shares the serious concerns raised in their initial assessments." "The EU underlines the importance and need to continue strengthening reforms to ensure that future elections are fully transparent and credible as well as peaceful," said the statement. "The EU will review its relations with Zimbabwe, taking account of all these factors," she stressed. "Our goal is to support the Zimbabwean people in achieving a more prosperous and democratic Zimbabwe, as a sure foundation for the future full normalisation of relations between Zimbabwe and the EU," added Ashton. The inauguration of President Robert Mugabe is expected to take place on Thursday for his seventh consecutive term in office. He has ruled Zimbabwe since independence in 1980.