During the plenary session (16-19 December 2019) of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs debate on humanitarian situation in Venezuela and migration and refugee crisis. Statements by Josep BORRELL FONTELLES, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the EC in charge of a stronger Europe in the World, Javi LÓPEZ (S&D, ES), Dita CHARANZOVÁ (RE, CZ) and Alice KUHNKE (Greens/EFA, SE).

Strasbourg

debate

plenary session

CHARANZOVÁ, Dita (Renew, CZ)

EU - Venezuela (T)

LÓPEZ, Javi (S&D, ES)

BORRELL FONTELLES, Josep (PSE, ES, EC)

KUHNKE, Alice (Greens/EFA, SE)

Humanitarian situation in Venezuela and migration and refugee crisis: extracts from the debate

SOUNDBITE (English), Josep BORRELL FONTELLES, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the EC in charge of a stronger Europe in the World, We have provided more than 170 million since 2018 and around 320 million, including member states assistance both inside Venezuela and in the neighboring countries. Around two thirds of the immediate humanitarian response have been allocated for action inside Venezuela. We are the biggest humanitarian donor inside the country. The other one third is implementing in the neighborhood country.

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Leopoldo L&#211;PEZ GIL (EPP, ES), Immigration in Venezuela does have a solution: and that is the end of this regime and going back to democracy. The tentacles of Maduro, the the dictator, is trying to take over the only democratic organ left in Venezuela. That is the National Assembly. People are being exiled. They are being intimidated. They are being repressed to stop there. The president, Juan Guaid&oacute;, who is recognized by the European Parliament, can continue his fight to recover democracy.

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Javi L&#211;PEZ (S&amp;D, ES), The United Nations already has given a figure 200 billion, which is what is needed by the population of Venezuela, both inside and outside of the country. But we've only been able to collect about 25 % of that overall amount. So we need to provide political democratic support for this country.

SOUNDBITE (Czech), Dita CHARANZOV&#193; (RE, CZ), The economic crisis and humanitarian crisis are a result of the policies of the regime and their reluctance to admit their guilt and in such to deny the existence of the problem. The European Union has to continue to offer its full support to try and alleviate the humanitarian crisis. But if the political crisis isn't resolved internally, then the humanitarian crisis will not be brought to an end. The European Union's policy towards Venezuela has to continue to be to exert pressure on Maduro's regime so that it will sit down to negotiate a peaceful transition.

SOUNDBITE (Swedish), Alice KUHNKE (Greens/EFA, SE), This upheaval is now impacting on other countries in the neighboring region. And in the meantime, the situation for the people on the roads is getting worse and worse. Back in October, the UNHCR, together with the European Union, asked the neighboring countries of Venezuela to please show solidarity towards their neighbor. Solidarity in this conflict. And we as greens want to make sure that this solidarity is a solidarity that also is embraced by Europe.