Over the past 60 years since its inception, the European Union was a peacebuilding mechanism in post-war Europe, enabling a period of unprecedented economic prosperity and cooperation among people. Throughout that whole period, at first modestly, with the growth of its economic power to an increasing extent, the Union has built its foreign policy influence through a 'soft power' approach, which has often manifested itself in advocating peaceful solutions between conflicting and sometimes warring parties, most generous humanitarian aid, by which European countries tried to help alleviate the suffering of the most endangered in the areas affected by the conflict.
The European Union continues to build its influence, which is reflected in the approach to the current crisis areas, discussed this week at the first plenary session of the European Parliament in the new convocation. As a newly appointed Socialist and Democrat Coordinator at the EP's Foreign Policy Committee, Croatian MEP Tonino Picula held two speeches on the need to normalize the situation in Venezuela and the need to keep legislation in Hong Kong in line with the principles of the rule of law, particularly in the sense of the recently adopted simplification law extradition to China.
Regarding the humanitarian crisis in Venezuela, Picula stressed that the EU could positively influence the situation in that country and its neighborhood: "For the good of the Venezuela citizens, the EU and its partners must not give up support for the return to democratic normality and constitutional order through a peaceful political process. The EU is committed to continuing to provide humanitarian assistance to Venezuela, but also to Colombia, Ecuador and Peru, which have shown great solidarity in providing refuge for people who have fled the country".
He also stressed that it is also necessary for the Hong Kong government to withdraw the draft law to facilitate the extradition of Hong Kong citizens to China. He concluded that it is necessary for the Hong Kong government to immediately release and abandon the indictment against peaceful protesters and all arrested during the demonstration for the right to freedom of expression.
See the whole speech on the link.
