At the beginning of the summit for Venezuela, Tabaré Vázquez says that the country is between "war and peace" – 02/07/2019

With the arrival in Uruguay of Spain's Foreign Minister Josep Borrell and the High Representative of the European Union (EU) for Foreign Policy, Italian Federica Mogherini, started a summit in Montevideo on Thursday of the "contact group" to find a solution to the crisis in Venezuela, where now they are competing for power two presidents in full economic and humanitarian disaster.

"The task entrusted to us is urgent and this urgency comes from the worsening of the situation which risks destabilize the region and not just the region, "said Mogherini, opening the group's first meeting.

Tabaré Vázquez, host of the meeting. He also spoke and warned that the faces of Venezuela a "dilemma" between "war and peace" and he called for "serenity" to seek a way out of the crisis.

"The greatest dilemma facing Venezuela today is between peace and war, and therefore our urgent call for peace of mind for the parties involved and for caution towards the international community."

Tabaré Vázquez

President of Uruguay

The appointment is taken in camera in the Executive Tower, the main administrative center of Uruguay, and is expected to last about three hours.

The European Union meets for the first time this Thursday, announced on December 31 the international contact group with the aim of facilitating the exit from the Venezuelan crisis through the holding of new presidential elections with all the necessary guarantees.

Spain, France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Sweden, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom of the EU, as well as Ecuador, Costa Rica, Uruguay and Bolivia from Latin America participate in the contact group, although the Union is still waiting for Mexico to agree to join. Argentina does not participate.

The appointment they do not go neither representatives of the government of Nicolás Maduro nor of Juan Guaidó's team.

The meeting, co-chaired by Mogherini and the president of Uruguay, Tabaré Vázquez, kicked off Thursday at noon.

The Spanish government, which has been trying for months to put pressure on this group within the EU, is confident that, in this new situation, this mechanism will serve to materialize the international support given to a presidential election. transparent and credible according to international standards, which are the only way to peaceful solution and democratic, explained a spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs consulted by Europa Press.

He also hoped that the group would help countries to strengthen the humanitarian response the crisis in the country, before the elections and, given the seriousness of the situation, possibly later.

Thus, Spain reject flat The interpretation that the contact group can be used to give Nicolás Maduro oxygen – as feared by the Venezuelan parties and the Lima group – while wishing that it be used to concretize the Call for elections as soon as possible.

Mogherini has already made it clear that the group, which will be coordinated by the European Union and to countries that have recognized Juan Guaidó as interim president to call new elections and others not, twill end a "limited" term of 90 days promote "a common understanding and a concerted approach of the main international actors" with the aim of reaching a "peaceful and democratic" solution to the Venezuelan crisis.

The head of the European diplomacy explained that after this period, if it does not obtain results, it will put an end to its work. "In the absence of sufficient progress, we will have finished," he said. "Save time is not the goal of the exercise, is to accompany the country (…) towards democratic and peaceful elections, "he said on January 31 to announce the group, saying that the group will mediate.

Juan Guaidó considered that the elections could be convened in six or nine months, a term much longer than the mandate of the contact group. It remains to be seen what period is necessary for the elections to be held with all the guarantees, including the release of political prisoners and the participation of emigrants.

In addition, the EU expects "a gesture" from Caracas within 90 days at the latest. the release of political prisoners and the return of the powers of the National Assembly so as not to end his work, knowing that the end of the crisis in Venezuela will require more time.

First step: common understanding

During a first phase, members will attempt to forge a "common understanding of the situation", "the parameters of a peaceful exit from the crisis and the possible ways to help the country to find a peaceful and democratic solution through new credible elections. "

To do so, they will work with other international and regional actors, including those with "the ability to influence the parties in Venezuela" and could be invited to future group meetings "as" the other group. observers ".

The EU has already underlined its intention to keep the Vatican process "closely badociated", but also to countries like Norway, Switzerland and the United States.

Second step: trust

In a second step, the group will seek to identify "the steps required and the measures to be taken build trust"so that" all national actors are seriously involved "in a" credible "process allowing" the immediate organization of free and fair elections "and promoting the respect of" minimum conditions "such as the release of prisoners policies and the veto to the participation of the opposition in elections, the creation of an electoral commission with a "balanced" composition and facilitate access to external humanitarian badistance.

Third phase possible and little hope

The group could badist in a third phase – if the minimum conditions were met – it could provide support "to a credible political transition process"and badistance in specific areas, although Mogherini itself does not rule out that, in case of" substantial "results, the UN may" exercise its good offices ".

Mogherini acknowledged, however, that there is no hope "particular" in the process and that the bloc badumes "a big risk" but has "the responsibility" to try to contribute to a "peaceful" solution before the "risks of the use of force", both inside and outside the country, which the EU sees as a priority to avoid.

"The international contact group still has value, it is even more urgent than ever, it remains a valuable tool to avoid the risks of internal violence or external intervention," said a senior European official, who acknowledges "that there is no guarantee" of success.

Of course, the bloc considers that it is necessary to maintain the pressure on the Maduro regime while trying to facilitate a peaceful solution to the Venezuelan crisis.

The group will hold meetings at various levels, including at the technical and ministerial levels, and work will be underway to follow up on the outcomes of the ministerial meetings.

Source: Europa Press and EFE