EUROPEAN UNION Dispatched Mission to VENEZUELA To Discuss Postponing Elections – Maduro Says No
Stock photo / Diplomatic relations between the European Union and Venezuela have been strained recently.
By Gary Raynaldo DIPLOMATIC TIMES
The European Union dispatched a mission to Venezuela last week to assist in improving electoral conditions in Venezuela ahead of the upcoming parliamentary election scheduled for December. The aim of the visit was to discuss directly the situation in the country and reiterate the EU’s position that electoral conditions now in place do not allow for fair, democratic, competitive elections on 6th of December. The mission underlined the EU position for a peaceful, democratic, Venezuelan-owned solution to the country’s crisis. According to the EU, the mission included discussions with a wide range of stakeholders, including the President of the National Assembly Juan Guaidó and all opposition forces. Meetings also included regime officials, the Venezuelan Episcopal Conference, civil society and the private sector. Issues related to human rights, political prisoners and fundamental freedoms featured prominently on the agenda.
The EU said its policy vis-à-vis Venezuela remains unchanged:
“The conditions are not currently there for a free, fair and democratic electoral process to take place.” – EU
EU Rejects Maduro Invitation To Deploy Electoral Commission To Monitor December Elections in VENEZUELA
Last month, the Venezuela government of President Nicholas Maduro issued the EU an invitation to deploy an “election accompanying mission” for the legislative elections scheduled to take place in December. The EU High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell responded that the Maduro government’s request was rejected on the grounds that it did not meet the EU’s requirements to guarantee minimum conditions of credibility, transparency and inclusiveness, and the ability to observe the electoral process without interference including unobstructed access.
The possibility of postponing the legislative elections in order to open a space for dialogue and change those conditions was discussed. Without a postponement and an improvement in the democratic and electoral conditions, the EU cannot consider sending an electoral observation mission. However, Maduro has said it would be impossible to delay the vote.
“It is impossible because there is a very clear constitutional mandate,” Maduro said in a state television address earlier this month. “We want to have a good relationship with the European Union, but Washington does not let them.”
Over the last few months, Borrell has had numerous contacts with different political actors in Venezuela, both from the regime and the opposition.
EU Rejects Maduro Invitation To Deploy Electoral Commission To Monitor December Elections in VENEZUELA
Last month, the Venezuela government of Maduro issued the EU an invitation to deploy an “election accompanying mission” for the legislative elections scheduled to take place in December. The EU High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell responded that the Maduro government’s request was rejected on the grounds that it did not meet the EU’s requirements to guarantee minimum conditions of credibility, transparency and inclusiveness, and the ability to observe the electoral process without interference including unobstructed access. Borrell said the invitation to deploy an “election accompanying mission” is a concept that is “alien to Union practice.”
Diplomatic relations between the EU and Venezuela have been strained recently
In July, a diplomatic firestorm erupted between Brussels and Caracas after the EU Council added 11 leading Venezuelan officials to the list of those subject to restrictive measures, because of what the EU said for their role in acts and decisions undermining democracy and the rule of law in Venezuela. In response, President Maduro announced that Isabel Brilhante Pedrosa, the EU ambassador in Caracas, was being expelled and given 72 hours to leave as Brussels sanctioned the Venezuelan officials for acting against the National Assembly headed by opposition leader Juan Guaidó. However, the government of President Maduro later reversed its decision ordering the EU ambassador to leave. Restrictive measures by the EU on Venezuela were introduced in November 2017. They include an embargo on arms and on equipment for internal repression as well as a travel ban and an asset freeze on listed individuals. The EU measures have strained relations between Brussels and Caracas. In February 2019, European countries including the UK, Spain, France, Germany, Sweden and Denmark recognised Guaidó as the interim president of Venezuela in a coordinated move made after a deadline for Maduro to call presidential elections expired.
