Niall Collins
Question:169. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide an update on the situation in Venezuela; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1682/19]
View answerTuesday, 15 January 2019
Questions (169)
Written answers
I am gravely concerned by the ongoing political, economic, social and humanitarian crisis in Venezuela, which continues to deteriorate. The worsening crisis is causing mass migration that creates challenges to host communities and to regional stability.
This crisis is having a dire impact on the Venezuelan population both inside and outside the country, and on the neighbouring countries that are receiving ever increasing numbers of Venezuelan migrants and refugees. The UN estimates that the number of Venezuelans who have left their country since 2015 has reached over three million, with the majority of these travelling to nearby countries in the region.
Humanitarian needs are acute, with severe shortages of food and medicine leading to high rates of malnutrition and the spread of illness and disease. I am particularly concerned by the humanitarian dimension of the crisis, and I urge the Government of Venezuela to acknowledge the full extent of that crisis and allow humanitarian actors to operate without interference.
Neighbouring countries hosting Venezuelan migrants are carrying an enormous burden and must be supported. The situation is particularly acute in Colombia, which has received over one million Venezuelans. In addition, large numbers of Colombians, formerly economic migrants in Venezuela, have returned home to Colombia.
Ireland is fully supportive of the €55 million funding that has been committed by the EU for humanitarian assistance. This funding supports the EU response to help the most vulnerable, and support the reception capacities of the host communities in the region. The EU's assistance, delivered through partners on the ground, focuses on emergency healthcare, food aid, shelter and protection for the most vulnerable families affected by the crisis.
I, along with my EU partners, have repeatedly called on the Venezuelan Government to engage in dialogue with the opposition, to respect the electoral calendar and to fully restore the country’s democratic institutions. It is regrettable to see the Venezuelan Government not heed these calls for fresh presidential elections in accordance with internationally recognised democratic standards and the Venezuelan constitutional order.
On 10 January, President Maduro started a new mandate on the basis of non-democratic elections. Ireland was not represented at the inauguration, and fully supports the declaration by EU High Representative Federica Mogherini of 10 January. This statement reiterates that the May 2018 presidential election was neither free nor fair, and that its outcome lacked credibility. The statement also urges President Maduro to recognise and respect the role and independence of the democratically elected National Assembly, to release all political prisoners, to uphold the rule of law, human rights and fundamental freedoms, and to urgently address the needs of the population.
Ireland also regrets the negative impact the assumption of this new mandate may have on the possibility of a negotiated solution to this crisis. It is my continued belief that credible and meaningful dialogue is the most effective means of achieving a peaceful negotiated solution to the crisis currently affecting the country. To that end, it will be vital that the EU remains engaged with all stakeholders in Venezuela.
The EU is currently exploring the potential of setting up an International Contact Group (ICG) for Venezuela. This group would consist of the EU, a number of EU MS, and other important actors with varying political views on the situation in Venezuela. The ICG would not have the role of a mediator, but rather would aim to facilitate a solution to the crisis. The role is envisaged as mainly assisting in putting conditions in place to allow for a political process to take place. I would welcome the establishment of an ICG and I hope that it will be a useful vehicle for information sharing and encouraging dialogue.
The situation in Venezuela continues to be discussed at the highest levels within the EU and was discussed by Foreign Ministers at our meeting on 10 December. I welcome the high priority given to the issue by the EU, and I believe that it is important for us to work in step with our like-minded regional partners.
Our Embassy in Mexico is responsible for our diplomatic relations with Venezuela and is monitoring the situation closely, engaging with partner organisations on the ground and with EU Missions in Caracas. Ireland will continue to engage regularly with our EU partners on this issue, as well as with affected countries in the region.
Question No. 170 answered with Question No. 139.