The German government on Monday pledged close to 30 million euros to Zimbabwe to be used to improve the education, health and farming sectors.The pledge followed a meeting between the Chancellor and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai in Berlin, where the German government assured him of its full support for his pro-democracy work in Zimbabwe.
Tsvangirai arrived in Berlin on Sunday from Washington and before Monday’s talks he was received with full military honours. He also inspected a guard of honour.
James Maridadi, Tsvangirai’s spokesman told us that the Prime Minister was heartened by the fact that Chancellor Merkel was able to express support for Zimbabwe.
Merkel also described Tsvangirai as a ‘symbol of democratisation’ in Zimbabwe, and added there were some encouraging signs following the formation of the unity government four months ago.Merkel said wherever possible Germany would give support, but this remains conditional upon further democratic advances in the country.
Later in the day, Tsvangirai met the German Development Minister Heidemarie Wieczorek-Zeul, who announced that Germany would give the World Bank 20 million euros to help Zimbabwe, along with five million euros to buy seed and fertiliser for small-time Zimbabwean farmers.
The Prime Minister’s visit to Berlin is part of a three-week tour of Europe and the United States designed to rally political and financial support from Western governments. He leaves Berlin for Stockholm, Sweden on Monday night.
During his European tour, Tsvangirai is also due to meet British Premier Gordon Brown and French President Nicolas Sarkozy, as well as the leaders of Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Belgium, and senior European Union officials.
He has so far succeeded in gaining modest commitments from several countries to increase humanitarian aid which will be channeled through non-governmental organisations.
Last Friday US President Barack Obama pledged US$73 million.
Tsvangirai told journalists after his meeting with Merkel that the unity government had made ‘real progress in stabilising runaway inflation and in trying to create the conditions for democracy.’ He added that Zimbabwe is changing and is changing for the better.
* SW Radio Africa
