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Mugabe hails Zanu-PF, MDC talks
05/12/2007 10:14 - (SA)
Johannesburg - Zimbabwe's president Robert Mugabe has hailed the ongoing talks between Zanu-PF and the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), facilitated by President Thabo Mbeki, the state-controlled Herald reports.
Mugabe made the remark in his 20th State of the Nation Address in parliament on Tuesday.
The Zimbabwean president also hailed European Union and African states and the Portuguese government in particular, for "correctly reading and rejecting attempts by Britain to bar Zimbabwe from attending the European Union-Africa Summit," said reports.
The summit was scheduled for December 08-09 in Lisbon, Portugal.
Britain 'wants to isolate us'
Mugabe reportedly said: "On the diplomatic arena, the shifting pattern of events is giving rise to brighter prospects for more fruitful engagement with other nations.
"The sinister campaign led by Britain to isolate us, including the recent attempt to bar us from attending the EU-Africa Summit soon to be hosted by Portugal, continues to disintegrate."
Referring to talks between his party and the opposition MDC, Mugabe said: "The ongoing talks between Zanu-PF and the MDC factions have ushered in the dawn of a new era of constructive engagement across the political divide.
"Already, one positive spin-off from this process has been the narrowing of our differences and the establishment of a broad consensus around national interests."
Mugabe singled out the unanimous passage by both Houses of Parliament of Constitutional Amendment Bill No 18, which provided for the harmonisation of presidential, parliamentary and local government elections, said reports.
The president added that Zimbabwe would invite friendly and objective members of the international community to observe the elections in 2008.
- SAPA
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