JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION

12 February 2003

pursuant to Rule 50(5) of the Rules of Procedure by

• –José Ignacio Salafranca Sánchez-Neyra, Fernando Fernández Martín and Bernd Posselt on behalf of the PPE-DE Group
• –Margrietus J. van den Berg, Rolf Linkohr and Manuel Medina Ortega on behalf of the PSE Group
• –Marieke Sanders-ten Holte, Carles-Alfred Gasòliba i Böhm and Isidoro Sánchez García on behalf of the ELDR Group
• –Monica Frassoni, Paul A.A.J.G. Lannoye, Alain Lipietz, Josu Ortuondo Larrea and Camilo Nogueira Román on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group
• –Joaquim Miranda, Luigi Vinci and Pedro Marset Campos on behalf of the GUE/NGL Group

replacing the motions by the following groups:

• –PPE-DE (B5‑0134/2003),
• –GUE/NGL (B5‑0137/2003),
• –PSE (B5‑0141/2003),
• –Verts/ALE (B5‑0146/2003),
• –ELDR (B5‑0149/2003),

on the situation in Venezuela

European Parliament resolution on the situation in Venezuela

The European Parliament,

–  having regard to its previous resolutions on Venezuela and to its resolution of 15 May 2002,

–  having regard to the statement by the Presidency of 23 December 2002 on the internal situation in Venezuela,

–  having regard to the OAS's Inter-American Democratic Charter,

–  having regard to the OAS's resolution of 16 December 2003,

A.  whereas the recent political, economic and social developments in Venezuela have run counter to the peaceful and democratic coexistence of the citizens and the institutions, and have given rise to considerable concern, both internally and internationally, regarding the need to consolidate democracy, respect for fundamental rights and the rule of law,

B.  whereas the Forum for Negotiation and Agreements, the Secretariat of the Organisation of American States (OAS) and the 'Group of Friends of Venezuela' (Brazil, Chile, Spain, the US, Mexico and Portugal) are making useful contributions to the search for a viable situation to the crisis in Venezuela,

C.  whereas the European Parliament has, in general and from the outset, played the role of an intermediary and facilitator of dialogue, working for peaceful, negotiated solutions to latent conflicts at international level, particularly in Latin America,

D.  whereas the only way out of political stagnation, if there is to be economic progress and equitable social development in Venezuela, is to persist in an open, sincere and constructive dialogue involving all the sectors concerned, on a basis of full respect for democracy, the Constitution, the rule of law and national sovereignty,

1.  Deplores the acts of violence which have occurred and expresses its sympathy with the relatives of all the victims;

2.  Expresses its support for the efforts of the Forum for Negotiation and Agreements and the OAS Secretariat, backed up by the 'Group of Friends', towards creating the conditions for dialogue and national reconciliation;

3.  Calls on the Government of Venezuela and the other national institutions, the opposition and, in particular, the Democratic Coordination, the political parties and the public to seek a dialogue-based, peaceful, constitutional and democratic solution to the crisis which will allow Venezuela to resume its previous rhythm of economic and social development, thus returning to the path of stability and the consolidation of democracy and respect for human rights, the rule of law and national sovereignty;

4.  Calls on the Conference of Presidents to authorise the sending of a delegation of the European Parliament with a view to obtaining more detailed information at ground level on the present circumstances in Venezuela,

5.  Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission and the Government of Venezuela.