WRITTEN QUESTION P-1263/02

by Mihail Papayannakis (GUE/NGL) to the Council

(24 April 2002)

Subject: Coup d'état in Venezuela and the Spanish Presidency's announcement

Last week in Venezuela, a coup d'état was perpetrated against the democratically elected president of the country, Hugo Chaves. Although the president was deposed for only 48 hours, the Spanish Presidency hastened to announce recognition of the unconstitutional government.

Since, in accordance with Article 11 of the Treaty of Amsterdam, the Union defines and implements a common foreign policy in a spirit of loyalty and solidarity, the objective of which is to develop and consolidate democracy and the rule of law, will the Council say whether the Spanish Presidency was also acting on behalf of the other 14 Member States?

Reply

(30 September 2002)

1. The Council has followed closely the evolution of the political and social events that led to the violence on 11 April and the breach in the constitutional situation in Venezuela.

2. On Friday 12 April, Spain, as Presidency of the Council of the European Union, issued a declaration on the situation in Venezuela. This initiative was taken in line with Article 18 of the Treaty on European Union which states, inter alia, that The Presidency shall represent the Union in matters coming within the common foreign and security policy (Article 18(1)) and that The Presidency shall be responsible for the implementation of decisions taken under this Title (Article 18(2)). As is customary with declarations issued by the Presidency, all the European partners were duly informed of this initiative.

3. The Presidency declared that in contact with its European partners, it followed with great concern the course of events in Venezuela, that it strongly rejected the loss of human lives and conveyed its condolences to the relatives of the victims. The Presidency also expressed its full support and solidarity to the people of Venezuela and appealed for an end to all violent actions. Finally it called for the transitional government to respect the democratic values and institutions with a view to overcoming the crisis in a framework of national concord and in full respect for the basic rights and freedoms.

4. Since then, the EU has taken the opportunities offered by its relations with Venezuela to convey its satisfaction with the reestablishment of the democratic institutions and supports the initiatives taken by President Chavez to promote reconciliation and dialogue so that the Venezuelan people may fully develop their democracy.

5. The Council has repeatedly underlined the importance it attaches to the development of the Rule of Law and to the full respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms.

6. The Council hopes that all Venezuelan political and social actors, as well as the media, will behave responsibly to maintain stability so that differences can be resolved in the context of a peaceful, constructive dialogue.

7. The Council has also expressed its full support for the Inter-American Democratic Charter as well as the efforts undertaken by the Organisation of American States (OAS) in relation to the situation in Venezuela.

8. The Second EU-Latin America and Caribbean Summit, held in Madrid on 16 and 17 May, as well as the Summit between the EU and the Andean Community on 18 May, provided further opportunities to strengthen the values and democratic commitments shared by both regions.