HARARE: An EU delegation noted progress made in Zimbabwe during a rare visit on Saturday but sought further efforts to shore up a fragile unity deal during talks with President Robert Mugabe.

The meeting, aimed at easing diplomatic tensions, was the first between the veteran leader and the European bloc in seven years and focused on a troubled unity deal with Mugabe's former political rival Morgan Tsvangirai.

The controversial topic of targeted sanctions against Mugabe and his allies did not come up during the talks, after southern African leaders called on the West to drop penalties to speed up implementation of the unity deal.

"I think we should acknowledge that there is progress made here but there are still several problems outstanding and we discussed those with the president in a very open atmosphere," European Union Development Commissioner Karel de Gucht said.

"I have asked the president that we give impetus to the further implementation of the global political agreement (GPA)."

After lashing out at "bloody whites" for meddling in his country's affairs Friday, a jovial Mugabe welcomed the delegation with "open arms" saying his problem was with Britain and not the West at large.

"It (the meeting) went well. They were asking questions about the GPA and they thought it is not working, yet everything we were asked to do under the GPA we have done and timeously even," said Mugabe.

"We established good rapport, no animosity, it was quite a friendly meeting."

Mugabe expressed his disappointment at the ongoing travel restrictions and asset freezes against himself and his key allies, which he often blames for his country's woes.

"I was always disappointed that sanctions have been imposed upon the government. Sanctions are serving no humanitarian purpose, they are causing lots of suffering among the people right at the bottom."

Despite a call by the Southern African Development Community for the penalties to be dropped, the EU maintains mismanagement and poor human rights record and not sanctions were behind the country's problems.

The topic of dropping sanctions, however, did not crop up during the meeting.

"We didn't discuss that. This was not a negotiation time," said Swedish Development Minister Gunilla Carlsson.

"We discussed the implementation of the GPA. The implementation must be conducted in a good way. We have discussed accusations of human rights violations, the need for free media and some other things."

The EU is looking to normalise ties with Zimbabwe and is seeking proof that Mugabe is committed to making the necessary reforms in his country.

A year after Mugabe and Tsvangirai inked a unity accord, power struggles over key posts and claims of continued persecution of Tsvangirai's supporters have made Western states reluctant to provide direct aid.

The unity government, formed after disputed polls pushed Zimbabwe into a deep political and economic crisis, is struggling to rebuild the hyperinflation-ravaged economy and basic services that collapsed under Mugabe's three decades of rule.

The 85-year-old Mugabe told reporters after the meeting that his problem was with 10 Downing Street.

"Those who died, died of illness, conditions having deteriorated, it is those who have caused those conditions to deteriorate who must bear the blame. I think the British first and foremost." he said.

"I am a person the British don't like."

The EU and the United States imposed sanctions on Mugabe and his inner circle following a disputed presidential poll in 2002, which Western nations as well as independent local poll monitors described as flawed.

The EU team will meet Tsvangirai later on Saturday in Bulawayo ahead of a rally by his party on Sunday to celebrate the anniversary of the unity deal.