Secretary-General welcomes agreement on framework for talks in Zimbabwe

Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma has welcomed the 21 July 2008 signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on a framework for negotiations towards a political settlement by Zimbabwe’s main political leaders.

He said this was a significant step in the right direction, which would initiate a dialogue towards promoting peace, stability, democracy, prosperity and the reconciliation of the Zimbabwean people.

Mr Sharma stated that the Commonwealth would maintain its ongoing consultations with the United Nations, the African Union and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and stood ready to support the process in ways that regional leaders consider appropriate, particularly in areas of the Commonwealth’s proven expertise and experience.