Question by Sahra Wagenknecht, 9 September 2004

Since the vote held on 15 August clearly showed that the Venezuelan population is in favour of Hugo Chávez continuing as President, will the Council alter its negative attitude towards the Venezuelan government? Does or did the EU presidency have any doubts about the fairness of the referendum, or how else can it explain the presidency's announcing on 17 August that it noted that the 'initial findings' of the OAS and the Carter Center indicated that the referendum had been fair? What is the EU's view of the behaviour of the opposition, which did not accept the results of the referendum, rejected out of hand the spot-checks on the voting and announced it would not recognise the outcome, although there was no evidence of any irregularities?

Against this background, will the EU withdraw its previous backing for the opposition - which prompted the then Spanish Council presidency to go so far as to recognise the temporary government set up following an attempted coup d'état in April 2002 - and accept forthwith the majority decision of the Venezuelan population concerning its government?

Answer by the Council, 22 November 2004

As stated in its declaration of 3 August 2004 on the presidential revocatory referendum, 'the EU considered the referendum as an important step towards a constitutional, democratic solution to the longstanding political crisis in Venezuela, as agreed in May 2003 by all parties concerned in line with resolution 833 of the OAS. In this respect, the referendum is essential for restoring in Venezuela national reconciliation and democratic stability in a climate of mutual respect, tolerance and dialogue among all parties concerned, within the framework of the rule of law and democratic principles'.

Meanwhile, after the referendum, the Presidency of the Council of the EU stated that it 'has taken note of the preliminary results of the referendum that was held in Venezuela on Sunday 15 August 2004 and of the initial findings of the Organisation of American States and the Carter Center on the referendum process. The Presidency congratulates Venezuela on the historically large turn out. The Presidency sincerely hopes that political stability will soon return to Venezuela and calls upon all parties to contribute to this end'.

The EU will continue to monitor the situation in Venezuela.