The President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Delcy Rodríguez, held a high-level official meeting with the European Commissioner for Preparedness, Crisis Management and Equality, Hadja Lahbib, to review the advances of the cooperation deployed following the earthquakes of last June 24.
During the meeting, the Venezuelan president expressed the country’s gratitude for the timely activation of the European Civil Protection Mechanism, which allowed for the immediate mobilization of search and rescue teams, and discussed the support that the European bloc is now providing in the phase of recovery, reconstruction, and assistance to those affected.
In recognition of their noble work in saving lives, the Bolivarian Government awarded each European Union rescuer its highest distinction: the «Hero of Venezuela» medal. In this work space, the President was accompanied by the Vice Minister for Europe and North America, Oliver Blanco, while by the European delegation participated Pierre-Henri Helleput, Chargé d’Affaires of the EU in Venezuela; Jan Joog-Martens, Chief of Staff to the Commissioner; Andrea Kouraiman, Director for Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean, South, East, Southeast Asia and the Pacific; Pelayo Castro, Director for the Americas; and Loya Borissova, expert from the Commissioner’s Office.
With this productive technical agenda, both parties reaffirmed their commitment to coordinating humanitarian efforts and strengthening international cooperation during times of crisis.