The European Union has eased economic sanctions against Zimbabwe that were imposed about 10 years ago according to the office of EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton. "No serious deterioration in the governance and human rights situation" had been detected by the member states since the last review in February, her office is reported to have stated.

The measures imposed under Article 96 of the Cotonou Agreement governing relations between the EU and Zimbabwe are being eased, specifically related to the ban on aid. As a result, the African nation will be eligible for an estimated 234 million Euros of aid for socio-economic programmes under the 11th European Development Fund for the period 2015 to 2020.

Aid is likely to be directed towards initiatives in governance and institution-building, health and agricultural sectors, though each project that is selected may have to be scrutinised independently as well.

It is believed that this will also speed up the ongoing economic reforms in Zimbabwe and may eventually result in investments flowing into the country as well.

However, the arms embargo, as well as a travel ban and asset freeze against President Robert Mugabe and his wife Grace will continue to be in force at least till the time of the next review scheduled for February 2015.