Brussels: Europe and the Arabs The European Union continues to follow developments in Venezuela with great concern. Reports from international election observation missions clearly indicate that the presidential election of 28 July did not meet international standards for electoral integrity. According to a statement issued by Josep Borrell, the EU's foreign policy coordinator, who added in the statement distributed in Brussels and received by us: "Despite its commitment, the National Electoral Council of Venezuela has not yet published the official electoral registers of the polling stations. In the absence of supporting evidence, the results published by the National Electoral Council on 2 August cannot be recognized. Any attempt to delay the full publication of the official electoral registers will only increase doubts about the credibility of the officially published results.
Copies of the electoral registers published by the opposition, which have been reviewed by several independent organizations, indicate that Edmundo González Urrutia appears to have won the presidential election by a large majority.
The European Union therefore calls for further independent verification of the electoral registers, if possible by an entity with an international reputation.
At this critical time, it is important that demonstrations and protests remain peaceful. The European Union calls for calm and restraint. The Venezuelan authorities, including the security forces, must fully respect human rights, including freedom of expression and assembly. The EU is deeply concerned by the increasing number of arbitrary arrests and the ongoing harassment of the opposition. The EU calls on the Venezuelan authorities to put an end to arbitrary arrests, repression and violent rhetoric against members of the opposition and civil society, and to release all political prisoners. Borrell concluded by saying in the statement: “The EU welcomes the efforts of regional partners, with whom it remains in close contact, to promote dialogue and a negotiated solution to the crisis. Respecting the will of the Venezuelan people remains the only way for Venezuela to restore democracy and resolve the current humanitarian, social and economic crisis.