MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Unasur ready to help Venezuela organize a “major social pact” to overcome the current situation

Samper met with Dilma Rousseff and apparently addressed the Venezuelan situation

Venezuela needs a 'major social agreement' to adjust its economy and overcome the current and persistent political conflicts in the country, said Ernesto Samper, chairman of Unasur (Union of South American Nations) during a visit to Brasilia.

 “The Venezuelan situation needs not only political dialogue and election guarantees and other institutional issues, but above all a major social agreement” pointed out the former Colombian president (1994/98), after meeting with Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff.

The agreement according to Samper must involve “all political and social sectors plus peasants and all workers” with the purpose of achieving “a battery of measures to adjust the economy, which are very much needed, and also the maintenance of a social project”, affirmed Samper.

“The success of Venezuela must be a goal for all Unasur member countries”, which has already been active in the country at the beginning of the year promoting political dialogue, which at least helped to cool a wave of violent street protests against the government of President Nicolas Maduro.

Samper also expressed his “strong convincement” that Maduro is “prepared to lead a process of bringing together all sides involved on the basis of respecting the legitimacy of his government and obviously respect for his institutional initiative”.

Samper finally said that Unasur stands ready with “an open door” to help Venezuela with “the highest possible dialogue” between the government and opposition.

“Space continues open for a wider ranging dialogue” and centered in the search of a 'major social agreement' to help all Venezuelans and the region.