During the EP Plenary session (26-27/04/2017) in Brussels, MEPs debate (05/04) and vote on the situation in Venezuela and the latest political events. Statements by Vĕra JOUROV&Aacute;, Member of the EC in charge of Justice, Consumers and Gender Equality, Luis de GRANDES PASCUAL (EPP, ES), Ram&oacute;n J&Aacute;UREGUI ATONDO (S&amp;D, ES), Beatriz BECERRA BASTERRECHEA (ALDE, ES) and Javier COUSO PERMUY (GUE/NGL, ES).&nbsp;David-Maria SASSOLI, EP Vice President, opens the vote. The results are: 450 votes in favour, 35 against and 100 abstentions.

Brussels

debate

plenary session

vote

JOUROVÁ, Věra (EC)

JÁUREGUI ATONDO, Ramón (S&D, ES)

BECERRA BASTERRECHEA, Beatriz (ALDE, ES)

COUSO PERMUY, Javier (GUE/NGL, ES)

EU - Venezuela (T)

de GRANDES PASCUAL, Luis (EPP, ES)

SASSOLI, David Maria (S&D, IT, S&D, IT)

Situation in Venezuela: extracts from the vote and from the debate (05/04)

SOUNDBITE (English), V&#277;ra JOUROV&#193;, Member of the EC in charge of Justice, Consumers and Gender Equality, For the democratic order to be guaranteed Venezuela needs to establish an electoral calendar, as foreseen in the Constitution, and to organise elections that are free, fair and inclusive. In 2017 the election of governors should be a priority. The EU remains ready to reinforce its support to help address the most urgent needs of the population, thus contributing to dealing with current humanitarian challenges. For the moment, our assistance remains limited due to difficulties of access to the country and it focuses on the distribution of food and medicines to the most vulnerable population, but other possibilities of support are also being explored.

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Luis de GRANDES PASCUAL (EPP, ES), It is time to demand from the Maduro regime the immediate release of all political prisoners, the establishment of a channel to preserve humanitarian assistance, the return to constitutional order, with full respect for the National Assembly and its decisions. Finally, it is also the inexcusable hour for the European Union and the High Representative to make compatible, diplomatic forms, the diplomatic forms with a stronger position in which the Venezuelan people feel encouraged by the European Union and recover the hope of freedom. And besides, Commissioner, we do not have to make elections for governors, we have to make the election of the President of the Republic, which is what the people of Venezuela demand.

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Ram&#243;n J&#193;UREGUI ATONDO (S&amp;D, ES), What is at stake is the future of that country and, as we love Venezuela and we want peace in Venezuela, what we have to establish is exactly our function. And, ladies and gentlemen, I do not dare to call the dialogue dead. I know it can be very bad, but those who call the dialogue dead, what do they offer me? What do Europeans offer to Venezuela? What do we give them? Because we condemn the government, we have already done so; Support the opposition, we already do. But what else do we do? Only a political agreement, democratic and supported by the international community between these two powers will solve the future of Venezuela.

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Beatriz BECERRA BASTERRECHEA (ALDE, ES), The so-called European left, the one from Podemos and United Left, tried to prevent this debate. They do not want us to remind them of their connection and connivance with Chavismo. Denounce narcocorruption of the Venezuelan regime, recognize the humanitarian crisis that ravages the country, demand the end of brutal political repression, or do not dare to give us a single lesson in democracy.

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Javier COUSO PERMUY (GUE/NGL, ES), We must leave the interventionist ventures, because to destabilize Venezuela is to destabilize Latin America. The EU should not support violent choices: it should accompany the dialogue between UNASUR and the Vatican. It is up to Venezuela to resolve its problems, and to the European Union, to respect sovereignty and international law. The opposite is a great hypocrisy.

EP Vice President David-Maria SASSOLI opens the vote on the EP resolution on the Situation in Venezuela. The text is approved: 450 votes in favour, 35 against and 100 abstentions.