Mugabe invited to Lisbon summit despite EU ban

MEPs have condemned Portugal’s decision to invite president Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe to a summit of European and African leaders in Lisbon this year.

The move has incensed critics of Mugabe’s regime because they say it “flies in the face” of an EU travel ban and sanctions against the 83-year-old dictator and figures in his regime.

Britain, the leading voice in the EU supporting five years of sanctions against Mugabe, and a travel ban on his entourage, is fiercely opposed to having him at a European summit.

Officials in Brussels say most EU members, including the Portuguese, do not want Mugabe in Lisbon but that the African Union of 53 countries is demanding that Zimbabwe be treated the same way as everyone else.

The decision to invite Mugabe to December’s meeting was attacked as a “disgrace” by UK Conservative MEP Neil Parish.

“The travel ban is pointless if we continue to invite him to the more prestigious meetings on European soil,” he said.

“The Portuguese presidency is sending out a terrible signal that we are prepared to do business with dictators.
“This invitation is a disgrace and must be revoked.”

He added, “Do we honestly think Mugabe is going to pass up the chance to flout this ban and posture in front of European countries?

“His attendance will override any good work that the summit might otherwise have achieved.”

Parish is banned from entering Zimbabwe for speaking out against the regime.

Another MEP, who declined to be named, said:"This invitation is a joke  and flies in the face of the travel ban. I hope it is revoked as soon as possible."

Mugabe was banned from travelling in Europe following elections there in 2002, at which Parish was an observer.

The last EU-Africa summit took place in 2000. Plans for a similar meeting in 2003 collapsed because of the Mugabe dispute.

The Portuguese are determined their planned summit will not fail.

"We defined a summit with Africa as a priority for our presidency," said Portuguese PM Jose Socrates.

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