Brussels, 04/07/08: As the Presidency stated on 28 June 2008, the EU deeply regrets that the Zimbabwean people were unable to vote freely in the run-off presidential elections, which the UN Secretary-General had asked to be deferred. It reiterates the unacceptability of the campaign of violence which the UN Security Council condemned on 23 June and which turned the election into a denial of democracy.

The EU commends the efforts being made by the African Union, and notes the resolution adopted following the African Union Summit in Sharm el-Sheikh on 1 July, calling for the creation of a government of national unity. The European Union will only accept a formula which respects the will of the Zimbabwean people, as expressed in the elections of 29 March 2008, which saw the MDC and Mr Morgan Tsvangirai win. The result of this vote must serve as a basis for a political settlement. The EU encourages the SADC and President Mbeki to step up their efforts to foster this process. The transition period must be as short as possible.

The EU emphasises the role which the United Nations could play in finding a solution to the crisis.

The objective of any solution must be to reconsult the Zimbabwean people on a free, democratic and transparent basis as quickly as possible. Only this can provide a long-term response to the serious difficulties currently being faced in Zimbabwe, which are threatening regional stability.

The EU, which cannot accept the fait accompli of the outcome of the vote of 27 June, calls for an immediate end to all forms of violence. It intends to offer its support to the Zimbabwean people, and is prepared to examine any appropriate individual measures against the perpetrators of violence at the earliest possible opportunity.

The Candidate Countries Turkey, Croatia* and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia*, the Countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidates Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and the EFTA countries Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, as well as Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova, Armenia and Georgia align themselves with this declaration.

* Croatia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.