07/02/2022 (Agence Europe) – “A comprehensive reform of the judiciary” in Venezuela is “an opportunity” to strengthen the fairness of future elections, the International Contact Group on Venezuela said in a press release published on Saturday 5 February, the day after a videoconference meeting of senior officials from the countries involved. Informed about the preliminary report of the Election Observation Mission sent by the European Union at the time of the local elections in November 2021 (see EUROPE 12852/32), it praised the contribution of this mission to the search for a peaceful solution to the Venezuelan political crisis. This can only be achieved through credible elections “at all levels, including at the presidential level”, the Group added. The EU does not recognise the May 2018 re-election of Nicólas Maduro as president of Venezuela (see EUROPE 12170/17). Bolivia has not endorsed the International Contact Group’s press release. (MB)