EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 84/608

(2004/C 84 E/0683)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0509/04

by José Ribeiro e Castro (UEN) to the Commission

(24 February 2004)

Subject: Venezuela — hunger and the Portuguese community

According to media reports the Portuguese Catholic mission in Caracas has stated that many Portuguese immigrants in Venezuela are in serious difficulty. Fr Alexandre Mendonça has declared that At the moment, most people are struggling financially. Those who were well off in Venezuela are now less so and those who were not well off are now in a much worse state'. The situation has been confirmed by Portugal's State Secretary with responsibility for such communities (José Cesário), who has outlined some of the problems being experienced by the Portuguese community. ‘There are social problems which, in certain cases, become highly complicated issues relating to young children, elderly people, Portuguese nationals who have been completely uprooted, and drug addicts.’ He admits that there are many complicated situations involving emigrant Portuguese communities scattered across the world, but nothing compares with the situation in Venezuela.

‘Thousands of people are going hungry and some of them have no home or other shelter and are experiencing immense difficulties. Equally serious situations exist in France but a variety of remedies can fortunately be applied. In Venezuela the situation is much more complex,’ he stated.

This is an alarming state of affairs which contrasts with the levels of prosperity which Venezuela has known in the past.

In view of the above, would the Commission answer the following questions:

— Is the Commission aware of the food and other shortages described above?

— What is its analysis of the problems outlined?

— What action has it taken (or is it intending to take) vis-à-vis the Venezuelan authorities in order to alert them to the state of affairs described above and to help resolve it?

— Is it willing to work with the Portuguese and Venezuelan Governments in an attempt to solve the problems?

— Is it willing to provide emergency aid, should such be requested?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(23 March 2004)

The Commission is aware of the strong economic recession that Venezuela is suffering, marked by two consecutive years of severe negative growth. An economic recovery was expected for this year, but appears at risk given the unstable political situation. The Venezuelan population, mainly those with low economic resources, are feeling the impact of this situation, some of them finding it difficult to buy the amount of food they are used to. The Portuguese community in Venezuela is also affected by this general problem, although the Commission has not been made aware of any specific concerns as regards that community.

The economic difficulties have forced a reduction in companies' production and even closure of some enterprises; affecting also the Portuguese community involved in production activities. The Delegation of the Commission in Caracas works with Member States' Embassies and Chambers of Trade located in Venezuela in order to improve opportunities for European companies. The Delegation has frequent contacts with the Portuguese community through the Portuguese-Venezuelan Chamber of Trade.

Some economic measures introduced by the government such as price controls and foreign exchange controls are having an effect on European companies trading with Venezuela. Negotiations between European Embassies and the Commission on the one side and Venezuelan economic authorities on the other have resulted in reducing the negative impact of these measures.

The Commission has not received any request for emergency aid and the Commission is not aware of any specific part of the country encountering a serious shortage of food. However, the Commission will continue to monitor the economic situation periodically and, should an emergency aid request be received, examine it with care.