Debate on the situation in Venezuela during the EP plenary session in Strasbourg. Statements by Bert KOENDERS, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, Esteban GONZALEZ PONS (EPP, ES), Ramon JAUREGUI ATONDO (S&D, ES), Jose Inacio FARIA (ALDE, PT), Javier COUSO PERMUY (GUE/NGL, ES)

Strasbourg

debate

plenary session

JÁUREGUI ATONDO, Ramón (S&D, ES)

GONZÁLEZ PONS, Esteban (EPP, ES)

COUSO PERMUY, Javier (GUE/NGL, ES)

EU - Venezuela (T)

FARIA, José Inácio (EPP, PT)

KOENDERS, Bert (NL)

Situation in Venezuela : extracts from the debate

SOUNDBITE (English), Bert KOENDERS, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, All political actors and institutions need to respect this democratic vote for the National Assembly as well as the legitimacy of the current government. Now is the time to work together in finding pragmatic and workable solutions to these difficult challenges. Ideological confrontations or institutional standoffs will not bring these solutions, and there is not much time left to lose in political manoeuvring as economic and financial resources are running out, the oil price is not likely to recover soon and inflation and shortages are getting more acute by the week.

SOUNDBITE (English), Bert KOENDERS, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, It is important not to forget the plight of several dozen protesters who are still in jail or have been sentenced in questionable trials. I will only mention the most publicised case of Leopoldo L&oacute;pez. Victims of violence must be protected. To achieve this, it is essential to ensure that those accused of having committed acts of violence during the protests get a fair and speedy trial based on objective evidence.

SOUNDBITE (English), Bert KOENDERS, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, It is the Constitution that offers a lawful, peaceful framework in which the Venezuelan body politic can operate as a democracy. Those on either side who feel tempted by non-constitutional methods or parallel structures must know that they have a heavy responsibility.

SOUNDBITE (English), Bert KOENDERS, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, Europe has legitimate concerns. There are more than half a million EU citizens living in Venezuela. EU companies are important investors and the European Union is also concerned about regional stability and the negative impact the worsening situation will have on the region.

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Esteban GONZ&#193;LEZ PONS (EPP, ES), Fortunately, it blows a wind of change  in Venezuela. And the Chavistas, who tried to put democracy in jail, they will see how democracy changes the regime. Thanks to courageous women like Mitzy Capriles, like Maria Corina, as Lilian, like Mari, freedom will soon be out of jail in Venezuela.

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Esteban GONZ&Aacute;LEZ PONS (EPP, ES), I do not know if there are two sides in Venezuela, but if there are, one of them is still in power, taking advantage of the power, and the other is imprisoned.

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Ram&#243;n J&#193;UREGUI ATONDO (S&amp;D, ES), Venezuela's government cannot reduce the powers of the new National Assembly. That's a legitimately constituted assembly and there is no room for creating parallel assemblies, nor for reducing the powers of the legislative branch by concentrating power artificially and illegally in the executive branch. That would mean a violation, a clear violation of the democratic mandate of December 6.

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Ram&oacute;n J&Aacute;UREGUI ATONDO (S&amp;D, ES), The popular mandate in Venezuela is one of dialogue. There is a reconciliatory mandate. The people demand solutions. There are two legitimate powers, the executive and the legislative.  And they have to talk. And they have to understand each other, because the people want solutions.

SOUNDBITE (Portuguese), Jos&#233; In&#225;cio FARIA (ALDE, PT), In this crucial time in its history, Venezuela needs the strong support of the EU, so that the election results and the principle of separation of powers are respected.If we hesitate, in this decisive time for the adoption of the amnesty and national reconciliation law, and for the change of political model that contributed to this crisis, what we will put in question is surely the State's own law and democracy.

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Javier COUSO PERMUY (GUE/NGL, ES), Former presidents, media and opposition were talking of fraud or coup, but their speech changed completely when they realized about their victory. It is not a complete victory, Minister, there is no new government. That is, the National Assembly is not a supra-constitutional power. There are balances; there is an Executive, that is, a President elected with the same legitimacy as the deputies. Let's not contribute to the fire. Let's change our role. Let's not support those sectors seeking a destabilising and violent change, and let's help to reduce the tension in the context of a democracy with institutional balance.