WRITTEN QUESTION E-0174/03

by Isidoro Sánchez García (ELDR) to the Council

(30 January 2003)

Subject: Crisis in Venezuela

Venezuela is situated on the north coast of South America, forms part of the Andean Pact group of countries, is rich in natural resources, chiefly oil, has had a broad tradition of democracy since the mid-twentieth century, has been generous throughout recent history and has, as a result, welcomed many citizens who have come in search of a better world, and whose efforts have contributed to the country's prosperity. In 2002, however, it was shaken by two events which were unprecedented in Venezuela's history and which adversely affected the country's institutional, political, economic and social governability. First of all, a mini-coup d'état took place on 11 April 2002 aimed at toppling President Hugo Chávez, who had been elected in 1998 in accordance with the Venezuelan Constitution. Secondly, a civil strike called at the beginning of December 2002 has caused serious disruption to Venezuela's civil society. Observing events from the outside in the first weeks of 2003, it appears that the situation remains unchanged and the crisis is reaching a peak, posing a serious risk of a breakdown in institutional stability and industrial relations.

Faced with this scenario of social and political confrontation, the parties are approaching the international community in search of support for a negotiated democratic solution. In these circumstances the European Union cannot simply stand aside, since in addition to the fact that democratic solidarity requires a response to the grave problem facing Venezuela, it must also take into account the fact that hundreds of thousands of nationals of EU Member States live in the country.

Given this extreme crisis affecting Venezuela, what measures will the Council take, in the context of respect for its sovereignty and independence and in accordance with Article 21 of the EU Treaty, to help bring about a democratic solution to the crisis in Venezuela and thereby avoid the grave threats posed by institutional instability and the breakdown of industrial relations in the country?

Reply

(8 May 2003)

1. As already indicated in the answer given to oral questions H-0880/02 and H-0016/03, the EU has regularly monitored the situation in Venezuela and clearly stated its position in public as well as with partners and authorities involved in finding a negotiated peaceful and constitutional solution to the political crisis in the country. (see declarations made by the Presidencies on 12 April and 10 October, the Heads of Mission on 8 December and the High Representative on 19 December)

2. Most recently, on 23 December, the Presidency reiterated the EU's position in a declaration:

The European Union continues to follow with increasing attention and concern the developments of the internal situation in Venezuela.

The European Union welcomes the adoption by the Permanent Council of the OAS resolution 833 in support for the democratic institutional structures in Venezuela and the facilitation efforts of the OAS Secretary General.

In this connection the European Union expresses its strong support to the efforts of the Secretary General of the OAS to build the conditions for dialogue and national reconciliation.

The European Union urges the institutions and people of Venezuela to seek a peaceful and constitutional solution to the crisis in order to allow the country to re-establish a stable internal situation that may lead to a process of economic progress and social development, in a framework of full respect of democratic principles and rules of law.

3. In its resolution of 17 December, the OAS Permanent Council urged all Parties to preserve the free exercise of the essential elements of democracy to favour a constitutional, democratic, peaceful and electoral solution.

On 21 January, the EU has welcomed the establishment of the Group of Friends of Venezuela (Brazil, Chile, Mexico, Portugal, Spain and USA) announced in Quito on 15 January by the Secretary General of the OAS.

The EU expresses its full support for the contribution the Group of Friends can offer in fostering a viable solution to the crisis in Venezuela along the objectives set by the OAS resolution 833, in particular a peaceful, democratic, constitutional and electoral solution to the crisis.

The EU considers that the Secretary General of the OAS has through the Group of Friends an additional valuable instrument in his efforts to build the conditions for genuine dialogue and reconciliation.

4. The EU continues to monitor closely the evolution of the situation in Venezuela.