The Government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela repudiated the interventionist statements of the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs, Federica Mogherini, regarding the process of elections on May 20.
Through an Official Statement, issued by the Venezuelan Chancellery, it is stated that: “the Venezuelan electoral system is one of the greatest strengths of our democracy,” and reiterates the invitation to the European representative to participate as an observer,
A few days ago the Electoral Power issued an invitation “especially from the European Union, so that they can attest to the transparency of the electoral process that some claim to question before its realization.”
The Chancellor of the Republic, Jorge Arreaza joined the protest at the statements and wrote in his Twitter account: “The Bolivarian Government of Venezuela strongly repudiates the statement of the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs, Federica Mogherini, issued today and reiterates its willingness to establish a constructive dialogue based on mutual respect”.
Following, the full text of the Official Statement:
The Government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela strongly condemns the statement of the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs, Federica Mogherini, on behalf of the European Union, which was issued on April 19, 2018, in clear violation of the most elementary principles of international law and the provisions of respect for sovereignty, the self-determination of Peoples and non-interference in the internal affairs of States, established in the Charter of the United Nations.
With this type of position, the European Union and its member states give a new sample of regrettable subordination to the opinions of the government of the United States of America. These actions constitute an aggression against the Venezuelan people and the Venezuelan State and its legitimate and sovereign institutions.
It is important to remind the High Representative that the Venezuelan electoral system is one of the greatest strengths of our democracy, an example of the advance of the people in the consolidation of their right to choose in peace and without any interference from a nation or foreign power. The Venezuelan Electoral Power is a fundamental pillar of the Venezuelan homeland. Its efficiency and transparency has been recognized worldwide and is a reference for many democratic nations, including States of the European Union.
As it has been a public and communicational fact, the Electoral Power invited international observers, especially from the European Union, without any limitation, so that they can attest to the transparency of the electoral process that some claim to question before its realization.
Despite the statements of the High Representative, the Bolivarian Government of Venezuela and the electoral authorities reiterate the invitation that has been sent to the High Representative to participate as an international observer of the coming May 20, as it was directly informed by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Jorge Arreaza, on April 11 at the offices in Brussels.
Likewise, the Venezuelan Foreign Minister urged the High Representatives to carry out fair and appropriate procedures so that the European financial institutions unblock the funds and transactions of the Venezuelan State, as a sign of independence in the face of the submission they have shown to the unilateral and illegal coercive measures issued by the administration of Donald Trump against the economy and the People of Venezuela.
Venezuela will always be ready to initiate a constructive dialogue with the European Union and its member states, based on mutual respect and treatment among equals, as President Nicolás Maduro has shown in recent days, by proposing and concretizing the normalization of diplomatic relations with the Kingdom of Spain.
Today, April 19, the date on which the beginning of the Venezuelan people’s firm decision to be free and independent is commemorated, we reaffirm the ideas of the Liberator Simón Bolívar, who in a message addressed to the delegates of the Amphictyonic Congress of Panama, exhorted to resist all intervention in the internal affairs of Latin American nations.
No imperial vestige, nation, group of countries, or organizations of any kind, can intervene or affect our independence and our unwavering course of freedom and peace and democratic coexistence
Caracas, April 19, 2018
