Brussels, 11/05/2016 (Agence Europe) - The ongoing clash between the parliament and government of Venezuela continues to be a cause for concern to Europeans, who have very few resources to facilitate dialogue between the two sides.
“The political situation is only getting worse” in Venezuela, said High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs Federica Mogherini at a plenary session debate at the European Parliament on Tuesday 10 May. She referred to the increased suffering of the population due to the political conflict, which has been marked by insecurity, scarcity of essential products such as water and runaway inflation. She said that the European Union, “distant geographically but not politically”, has a part to play with the political authorities at Venezuelan and regional level to “overcome the institutional conflict”. She asked the MEPs for their help through any contacts they may have made locally.
In the view of Esteban Gonzalez Pons (EPP, Spain), Venezuela is headed for the wall. More cautiously, Ramon Jauregui Atondo (S&D, Spain), who chairs the Euro-Latin American Parliamentary assembly (Eurolat), regretted the fact that “two legitimate institutions” - the Maduro government and the Venezuelan parliament, which has been dominated by the opposition since the victory of 'Mesa de la Unidad Democratica' late last year -are not working together. “I cannot say who is responsible”, he said, but stressed the “lack of freedoms” afflicting the Venezuelan population. Charles Tannock (ECR, UK) criticised the powers in place for ordering a two-day week in public service. Beatriz Becerra Basterrechea (ALDE, Spain) said that the Maduro government must agree to ask for humanitarian aid. Javier Couso Permuy (GUE/NGL, Spain) called on Europe not to interfere in the internal affairs of Venezuela. (Original version in French by Mathieu Bion)