(BRUSSELS) - European Union foreign ministers said Monday the new Zimbabwe government must prove itself democratically before EU sanctions can be lifted and economic aid resumed.

The foreign ministers said in a joint statement that the EU was prepared to "adopt a set of economic support measures" but only in support of "a transitional government taking the steps to restore democracy and the rule of law in Zimbabwe."

They added, following talks in Brussels, that they would reconsider the matter next month, while assuring that humanitarian aid would continue.

EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana said the 27-member bloc was not yet prepared to alter its sanctions regime against President Robert Mugabe and his associates.

"The sanctions for the moment will not be changed today, the decision will be probably taken in October," said Solana.

French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner, presiding over the talks, said, "we are happy about what is happening there but it's not the end. It will be a long process."

David Miliband, foreign minister of former colonial power Britain, stressed that "the most important criteria in judging change is the economic condition of the people as they face a very difficult winter and an economy that is in collapse."

He stressed that the EU sanctions targetted individuals "and are not blocking the Zimbabwe economy.

"The Zimbawe economy is in freefall because of the policies of the Mugabe government," he added.

EU ambassadors last week drew up proposals to extend a visa-ban and assets-freeze sanctions on 10 more individuals in Zimbabwe.

However that decision came before the announcement of the landmark deal in Harare last Thursday.

Zimbabwe's political leaders signed the political deal in Harare Monday, allowing the country's political rivals to work together for the first time.

The new government is the result of protracted talks between the ruling ZANU-PF, led by Mugabe, Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) under Morgan Tsvangirai and a splinter MDC faction led by Arthur Mutambara.

"We are waiting for the details of the agreement and the shape of the new government created there," said British Foreign Secretary Miliband.

"From our point of view, the absolute imperative is the welfare of the Zimbabwean people. A very large number are depending on food aid and we are committed to continue humanitarian aid."

"The future engagement of the international community with the new government of Zimbabwe will depend on the details of its programme, the details of its composition and the actions it takes to bring changes and respect the democratic will of the people," he added.

Mugabe, speaking moments after signing the historic power-sharing deal, again warned against foreign influence in his country.

"We must resist those who want to impose their own will on us," he said.

In their joint statement, the EU foreign ministers said they remained "concerned by the humanitarian situation in Zimbabwe and will continue to provide its aid, which is vital, in that area."

The ministers called for "the immediate lifting of all restrictions still imposed on the delivery of humanitarian aid and the humanitarian activities of non-governmental organisations."

Zimbabwe's newly-installed Prime Minister Tsvangirai called Monday for the economically-shattered southern African country's doors to be reopened to international aid.

"The international aid organisations came to help our country and found our doors locked," he said. "We need to unlock our doors to aid -- we need medicine, food, and doctors back in our country.

"We need electricity, water, petrol for our vehicles, we need to access our cash from bank."

Text and Picture Copyright 2008 AFP. All other Copyright 2008 EUbusiness Ltd. All rights reserved. This material is intended solely for personal use. Any other reproduction, publication or redistribution of this material without the written agreement of the copyright owner is strictly forbidden and any breach of copyright will be considered actionable.