Pope/Mugabeaxis raised

ZIMBABWEAN demagogue Robert Mugabe was able to dodge an EU-wide travel ban to attend a recent religious ceremony in Rome because the Vatican is not a member of the EU, Under Secretary of State for the Foreign Office Henry Bellingham advised DUP MP Gregory Campbell at the House of Commons.

By The Newsroom

Published 26th May 2011, 11:11 BST

The East Londonderry MP asked the Foreign Secretary William Hague if he had held discussions with his EU counterparts on the lifting of the travel ban on President Mugabe to enable him to travel to the ceremony on May 1.

Replying on Mr Hague’s behalf, Mr Bellingham said: “Although President Mugabe is subject to an EU travel ban, the Vatican is not a member of the EU and conducts its own foreign policy. Italy is bound by the Lateran treaty not to inhibit the passage of official visitors to the Vatican.

“Our ambassador in Harare did however discuss this issue with his Italian colleague and other counterparts to ensure consistency with the EU Common Position.

“The visa issued by Italy to President Mugabe was time-limited for the event in question and valid only for Italian territory.”