Kaja Kallas, the European Commission’s vice president, stated the message encompasses the backing of “26 member states of the European Union.
In the statement, the EU stated that the following must apply in all instances: “The principles of international law and the Charter of the United Nations must be upheld. A special role in defending the aforementioned principles falls on the member nations of the Security Council in the framework of the international order of security.”
The EU maintained its longstanding position that Nicolas Maduro “does not have the legitimacy of a democratically elected president” and stated it “is committed to a Venezuelan-led peaceful transition to democracy and supports the sovereignty of the country.” The importance of Venezuelans determining their own future was also highlighted.
Although harmonizing with the efforts for the struggle against cross-border organized crime and drug smuggling, the EU emphasized that challenges of such kind need to be tackled through joint cooperation with respect for the sovereignty of the states concerned, as Kallas pointed out:
“The EU is in close contact with the U.S. and with regional and international partners, with a view to supporting dialogue with all parties involved to achieve a negotiated, democratic, inclusive, and peaceful solution led by Venezuelans,” the European Union said.
According to Kallas, the EU believes that the will of the Venezuelan people is the only way forward if Venezuela wants to reestablish its democracy and overcome the current crisis. This statement also included the full respect for human rights as well as international humanitarian law, in addition to the unconditional release of all political prisoners in Venezuela.
According to the statement, consular authorities of EU countries are working closely, interschool, to protect European citizens, as well as those termed as illegally held in Venezuela.
