EU eases Zimbabwe sanctions

Brussels, Feb 18 (AFP) European Union foreign ministers agreed today to lift some sanctions against Zimbabwe to reward its ongoing political reform process, EU officials said. EU foreign ministers lifted an asset freeze and travel ban against 21 Zimbabweans out of 112 currently on an EU blacklist and also struck one of 11 firms off the list, the officials said. The agreement comes 48 hours before the expiry of sanctions against the regime. Zimbabwe last week announced it would hold a vote on a new constitution next month and elections in July. (AFP) SAI 02182056 NNNN