Brussels, 06/03/2013 (Agence Europe) - Europeans have been calmly paying homage to the former president of Venezuela, Hugo Chavez, who died of cancer at the age of 58, on 5 March. The respective presidents of the Commission and the European Council, José Manuel Barroso and Herman Van Rompuy received the news with “sadness” and sent their “sincere condolences” and sympathy to the Venezuelan people and government. They recognised that the country “has stood out for its social development and for its contribution to South America's regional integration” and said that they hoped to “deepen” the relationship between the EU and Venezuela in the future. The president of the European Parliament, Martin Schulz, said that “Chavez marked an era, now is the time to fight against poverty together with freedom and democracy”.
The president of France, François Hollande, said that Chavez, “profoundly marked the history of this country… the late president expressed an undeniable determination that went beyond his temperament and orientations that not everyone shared, to fight for justice and development”. He added that he was “convinced” that the country, “will overcome this trial democratically and calmly” (our translation).
At this time of grief, the German minister for foreign affairs, Guido Westerwelle, said that he wanted Venezuela to take a new departure and that the country had “strong potential, and democracy and freedom are effective ways for putting this potential into practice”. He also said that the death of the president marked a decisive turning point for the country.
His Swedish counterpart, Carl Bildt, said that Chavez “was undoubtedly a charismatic and strong leader, but his policies led his country astray with grave economic consequences…Venezuela must get clear and credible democratic rule in the post-Chavez phase that has just started”. Belgian minister Didier Reynders and his British counterpart, William Hague, spoke soberly of their “sadness” on learning of the passing away of the charismatic leader. Hague added that “as President of Venezuela for 14 years he has left a lasting impression on the country and more widely”.
The president of the GUE/NGL group at the European Parliament, Gaby Zimmer from Germany, was more emphatic and expressed, “the huge sadness felt by each member of our political group… For the entire duration of his presidency, Hugo Chavez constantly defended social justice, greater Latin American integration, solidarity among peoples, and peace”. She said that “his death is a huge loss for the Venezuelan people and for all progressive people around will the world. But his work will not be lost,” adding that “the people of Venezuela will uphold this spectacular progress”. (CG/transl.fl)