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Australian Parliamentary Committee visits Zimbabwe

by Byo24News
08 Apr 2011 at 06:26hrs | Views
The President of the Senate, Edna Madzongwe has told a visiting Australian parliamentary delegation that as long as there is goodwill; Zimbabwe is ready for unconditional re-engagement with any country despite frosty relations with western countries that imposed sanctions on Zimbabwe. 
A visiting Australian Parliamentary Committee on Joint Standing on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade is on a fact finding mission on the functions of the Parliament of Zimbabwe under the inclusive government in what they say is a bid for re-engagement  between Australia and Zimbabwe.
Madzongwe told the visiting delegation that Zimbabwe is a country that does not believe in operating in isolation, hence the nation is opening up avenues for those countries that wish to re-engage the country in all sectors of the economy to do so in good faith.
"We are grateful that your government is making all efforts in making the re-engagement with Zimbabwe. The onus is now on you to see to it that we re-engage. I must say the visit is very significant as it shows that we are starting somewhere," she said.
The head of the visiting Australian parliamentary delegation, Mr. Joel FitzGibbon said his government is impressed with the progress made by Zimbabwe under the inclusive government. 
He said his team was going to be guided by the findings of the operations of the Zimbabwean government in making recommendations to their government.
"We have heard a lot of progress scored by the inclusive government. I must say our visit is more on learning the situation in the country in a bid to push for the re-engagement process between our government and your government," Mr. FitzGibbon said.
Relations between Australia and Zimbabwe soured after the Australian government imposed sanctions on Zimbabwe in support of the US and the EU move. 
Zimbabwe is currently campaigning against western sanctions which have hurt ordinary Zimbabweans and 2 million people expected to sign the anti-sanctions petition. 

Source - Byo24News