Brussels, 15/04/2014 (Agence Europe) - On 15 April, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton hailed the meetings that have been taking place since 10 April between the government and opposition in Venezuela. She also hailed the role of the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR) and the Vatican in facilitating this process to put an end to the protests that have claimed over 40 lives in two months. “These efforts to bring all the parties to the table are an important step towards addressing the legitimate concerns of the people of Venezuela through continued and frank dialogue”, Ashton said, according to her spokesperson's press release.
Ashton hopes that the national government, leaders of the opposition, students and Venezuelan civil society can work together and find a consensus in order to overcome the current situation, her spokesperson adds. Recalling the importance of respecting basic human rights and the freedom of expression in all circumstances, Ashton encourages all participants to aim at obtaining concrete results, her spokesperson concluded. (CG)