Economic and political sanctions slapped on Zimbabwe by some Western countries should be lifted immediately because they are hurting the ordinary people and not serving any purpose, a European diplomat has said.

Sweden's newly appointed Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Sten Rylander, was quoted by the Sunday News as saying that the world would not benefit from isolating Zimbabwe.

"Ultimately, the targeted sanctions (imposed on Zimbabwe) must be eventually removed . . . What I am saying is Zimbabwe should come to a normal situation . . . I feel Zimbabwe and the international community have reached a stage where both sides realize the impasse cannot go on for a long time. There is need for change, need for building of bridges as the State President (Robert Mugabe) alluded to in previous statements," he said.

"This is a topical issue both in the international and national community and the only question that remains is who should start the building of the bridge and at which end. When one side starts, what should the other do in reciprocation? These discussions are coming in and we are taking them seriously," he said.

Rylander said Zimbabwe should do something to demonstrate that it was serious about the building of bridges, claiming that there has not been much in terms of concrete action on the ground ever since President Mugabe talked about it.

Rylander added that the Zimbabwean government should do what would improve the situation of the people of Zimbabwe.

"The Zimbabwe government should adopt progressive policies because they are good for the people of Zimbabwe, not to please us or anyone else," he said.

"The European Union is not against the land reform nor is it calling for the situation to be what it was in 1990. We are saying without compromising the interest of the country there are things the government of Zimbabwe can do to have the situation back to what it was."

"All the international community is saying is let there be respect for property rights, weed out corruption and economic opportunism and stop the farm invasions among other pertinent issues. If all these things come into place, I am quite positive that the situation will improve for all the Zimbabweans," he said.

He said despite the sanctions that have been imposed on Zimbabwe, Sweden would continue working with the government on trade and investment issues.

Recently Stockholm, through the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency, approved the channeling of US$5 million for humanitarian support to Zimbabwe.

The funding will benefit various sectors including drought relief, HIV/AIDS and the economic emancipation of the poor.

(Xinhua News Agency April 3, 2006)