Brussels, 19/07/2016 (Agence Europe) - The Foreign Affairs Council on Monday 18 July did not decide to make Spain's former prime minister, José Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, the European Union's special envoy to Venezuela - where political and economic crisis is raging.
Ready “to support the efforts of dialogue in every way possible”, the Council states in the conclusions it adopted that it encourages High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini to maintain “regular contact” with Zapatero. Already in Caracas, Zapatero is trying to facilitate dialogue between the Venezuelan government and the political opposition with the former presidents of the Dominican Republic, Leonel Fernandez, and of Panama, Martin Torrijos. He has been criticised by the opposition meeting within the “Mesa de la Unidad democratica” coalition for admitting that the referendum aimed at removing President Nicolas Maduro from office might not be organised.
Mogherini described as “surrealist” the issue of Zapatero's nomination as EU special envoy - which has reportedly been relayed by Spanish media. She also said she is ready to explore this option, which is being requested by “a few” member states, provided that this does not interfere in the process of mediation that is already under way, notably under the aegis of UNASUR.
The Council calls for dialogue between the parties, in respect of the rule of law and human rights, including those of the political opposition who are not able to exercise them. It calls on Mogherini to explore all possible means for facilitating political dialogue and enabling Venezuela to overcome “the economic and social challenges” that the country is facing, “including through assistance appropriate to most urgent needs”.
Last weekend, 130,000 people crossed the Venezuelan border to Cucuta in Colombia to obtain goods of basic necessity. (Original version in French by Mathieu Bion)