High Representative/Vice-President Federica Mogherini met with the President of the National Assembly of Venezuela together with representatives of main opposition parties

Today Federica Mogherini, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission, met with the President of the National Assembly of Venezuela, Omar Barboza, and with representatives of main opposition parties, Primero Justicia, Voluntad Popular, Acción Democrática and Un Nuevo Tiempo, in the run up to the presidential and regional elections scheduled for 20 May. They discussed the political, economic and social challenges Venezuela is currently facing.

The High Representative expressed full support for the National Assembly, a democratically elected body whose constitutional powers must be fully respected.

On the forthcoming elections, the High Representative recalled her Declaration on behalf of the EU on 19 April and underlined that it was crucial to have inclusive and credible elections on the basis of an agreed electoral calendar and democratic guarantees.

To that end, it would be important that the government creates the conditions that can still enable an engagement towards a broad consensus for the holding of free elections with the participation of all political parties respecting the principles of fairness and transparency.

The High Representative encouraged the opposition to continue working in a united manner towards a democratic and peaceful way out of the crisis in the country.

The High Representative and the President of the National Assembly agreed to stay in close contact.

This meeting took place in the context of the ongoing contacts with the government, the National Assembly as well as with regional partners.