THE HAGUE – The Rutte cabinet has accepted the invitation of the opposition in Venezuela to be an observer of the negotiation process with the Maduro regime as the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

“As its immediate neighbor, the Kingdom of the Netherlands continues to work actively with the international community, including the International Contact Group (ICG) and the EU, to find a political solution to the ongoing political, humanitarian and economic crisis in Venezuela.” writes Minister of Foreign Affairs Ben Knapen to the Dutch Parliament today.

“The cabinet has taken note of HV Borrel’s decision to send an EU election observation mission to observe the upcoming local and regional elections on November 21 in Venezuela. These elections are taking place against the background of a negotiation process between the opposition (Plataforma Unitaria) and the regime, which started this autumn under the auspices of the Norwegian government in Mexico City. The aim of these negotiations is to arrive at a lasting political solution to the crisis in Venezuela.

EU Election Observation Missions are independent and impartial and have the sole purpose of examining all aspects of the electoral process in accordance with EU/international standards for democratic elections and issue a statement on how these elections have been conducted. This includes looking at the eligibility of candidates, free participation of opposition parties, access to the press and the state of affairs at polling stations on election day.

As a direct neighboring country, the Kingdom of the Netherlands continues to work together with the international community, including the International Contact Group (ICG) and the EU, to find a political solution to the ongoing political, humanitarian, and economic crisis in Venezuela.

This is also the reason why the Kingdom of the Netherlands has accepted the opposition’s invitation to participate as an observer (acompañate) of the negotiation process between the Venezuelan opposition and the regime. Russia has also been asked to observe the elections. This is a process between the opposition and the regime. The Norwegian government facilitates and identifies next steps in the process where necessary. In accordance with agreements with the Norwegian delegation and the negotiating parties, the Netherlands will not make any further statements about this confidential process.”