On the occasion of his official visit to the United States, Antonio TAJANI, EP President, meets with Luis ALMAGRO, Secretary-General of Organization of American States, in Washington. Following their meeting, they give a joint press conference. Extracts.

TAJANI, Antonio (EPP, IT)

press point

EU - USA (T)

ALMAGRO, Luis

Washington

Official visit by Antonio TAJANI, EP President to Washington: extracts from the press point with Luis ALMAGRO, Secretary-General of Organization of American States

External shots of the OAS building (Organization of American States) (3 shots)

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Luis ALMAGRO, OAS Secretary General, It is an honour to welcome Antonio TAJANI, the President of the European Parliament in this House of America. A person with whom we share principles and values​, and not only in words, but also with facts. We are very proud and it also gives us confidence, our shared views on regional and global issues.

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Antonio TAJANI, EP President, Good morning to everyone. I thank Mr. Almagro for his invitation and hospitality. We share the same views on the most important problems today, which are Venezuela and Nicaragua. I appreciate your diligence and the work you are doing in trying to find peaceful solution in both countries. As regards Venezuela, we the European Parliament were the first institution of the European Union in favour of Mr Guaido, we recognized Mr. Juan Guaido as interim president, we call for democratic elections to elect the new president of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. We ask the Armed Forces regarding the conditions to recognise Mr. Juan Guaido as Acting Legitimate President. This is not a coup d'etat, this is to respect the rules and laws and the Constitution of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. We are asking not to block the humanitarian aid.

Because people are starving, children are dying of hunger, they lack medicines. The situation is very dangerous and it is very difficult for all Venezuelans. Not to for a solution in favour of new elections means an increase of the migrants that daily leave Venezuela to go to other Latin American countries, this is a regional, global and also European problem. 

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Antonio TAJANI, EP President, We are also very concerned by the situation in Nicaragua and I appreciate the work of your organization. It seems that today around a 100 of political prisoners have been freed thanks to the work of the organization of Mr. Almagro. And I thank him very much because thay are helping out Nicaragua. It is a very different situation but also very dangerous for the stability of the Latin American continent and the Caribbean; and this region so important in the world. We hope that Mr. Ortega understands that a political solution is necessary and we call for the release of all political prisoners. We ask for reforms and electoral reforms. We also ask for independent institutions to help this country go forward.