Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions the Government has had with the Government of Zimbabwe.

I [Minister Ford] met with Foreign Minister Shava and Finance Minister Ncube in London on 30 June and discussed political and economic issues. I [Minister Ford] noted that the UK would like to see Zimbabwe achieve debt arrears clearance, and that this can happen if Zimbabwe successfully completes an International Monetary Fund Staff Monitored Programme and makes reasonable progress on political reform. Ahead of upcoming elections in 2023 I [Minister Ford] stressed the importance of civic space, and the need for all political parties to respect the rule of law, refrain from violence and be able to campaign freely.