The European Union has admitted it is being forced to potentially lift its travel ban Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe following his appointment as head of the African Union.
The 90 year old president would still need EU member states to agree to his ban being eased but it would very likely to be granted if an official trip were planned.
Jack Parrock reports.
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Robert Mugabe's appointment as head of the African Union is putting the European Union in a situation it was not hoping to be in.
BITE: Catherine Ray, EU Commission Spokesperson
"The EU can only take note of this appointment because it was decided following the procedure of the African Union so indeed the AU presidency is chosen on a rotating basis and this year it was Southern Africa's turn and the candidate was Mr Mugabe which was endorsed at the African Union summit over the weekend. Mr Mugabe is in the list of...is under a travel ban but this ban will be lifted when he is traveling under his African Union chairmanship capacity."
Robert Mugabe and his wife Grace have been under EU travel bans since 2002 due to allegations of human rights abuses and election rigging. He is unlikely to travel to the EU this year as there are no planned events at which he would attend.
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Some lawmakers here are saying it's an uneasy predicament however.
BITE: Catherine Bearder - UK MEP
"We spend millions and millions every year supporting them in their development, ensuring human rights are delivered locally and this is a bit of a kick in the teeth I would say to all that good humanitarian work that we do for them over the years."
President Mugabe did have his ban temporarily lifted in April 2014 to come to the EU-Africa summit here in Brussels but he didn't attend on the grounds his wife's wasn't lifted. South African President Jacob Zuma also did not attend in what was perceived as a show of solidarity.
This is a very uncomfortable for the European Union and any trip the Zimbabwean president makes here will be the focus of intense international scrutiny.
Jack Parrock, Brussels