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EU wishes to avoid politicization of humanitarian aid to Venezuela

Foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini recalled that the union is working together with the relevant UN agencies to ensure that humanitarian aid reaches those in need inside and outside the country
EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini  EPA-EFE/STEPHANIE LECOCQ/POOL
EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini
© EPA-EFE/STEPHANIE LECOCQ/POOL

UN, March 12. /TASS/. The EU is cooperating with the UN on the issue of sending humanitarian aid to Venezuela, aiming to avoid politicization of its delivery, the union’s foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said on Tuesday during the UN Security Council briefing on cooperation between the UN and regional and sub-regional organizations.

"We are working together with the relevant UN agencies to ensure that humanitarian aid reaches those in need inside and outside the country, following the key principles of humanitarian law - and avoiding any politicization of the aid delivery," she stressed.

In late February, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro informed that Caracas accepted an offer for financial aid from the International Contact Group on Venezuela, consisting of members from Europe and Latin America.

The first meeting of the International Contact Group took place in Uruguay in February, with no representatives of the Venezuelan government or opposition present. On the outcomes of the meeting, the members promised to provide international guarantees for new presidential elections in the country and allow for urgent delivery of humanitarian assistance. Bolivia and Mexico refused to sign the final statement drafted on the outcomes of the meeting. Maduro later stated that Caracas does not recognize this document.

Situation in Venezuela

Juan Guaido, Venezuelan opposition leader and parliament speaker, whose appointment to that position had been cancelled by the country’s Supreme Court, declared himself interim president at a rally in the country’s capital of Caracas on January 23. On the same day, the United States recognized him as an interim president, and the countries of the Lima Group (excluding Mexico) and the Organization of American States followed suit. Venezuela's incumbent President Nicolas Maduro blasted the move as an attempted coup and announced cutting diplomatic ties with the United States.

Most European Union member states recognized Guaido as Venezuela’s interim president. Russia, Belarus, Bolivia, Iran, China, Cuba, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Syria and Turkey voiced support for Maduro.