23/10/2014 (Agence Europe) - European Parliament calls for dialogue. During a debate at the European Parliament on Wednesday 22 October, MEPs called for dialogue in Hong Kong between the pro-democracy protesters and the government of Hong Kong. “We are looking forward to seeing constructive dialogue in order to solve the stalemate in Hong Kong”, said Antonio Lopez-Isturiz White (EPP, Spain). In the view of the leader of the S&D Group, Gianni Pittella (Italy), a peaceful solution to the conflict “can only be obtained through dialogue”. “We urge both sides to avoid any violence (…) the democratisation process in Hong Kong must continue smoothly”, Pittella added. The EPP Group coordinator in the European Parliament's foreign affairs committee, Cristian Preda (Romania), regretted that “the European Union has been so silent on the situation in Hong Kong”. For two months, thousands of people have been demonstrating to have truly democratic elections. (CG)