THE HAGUE - The Netherlands wants to play a role in Europe around the problems in Venezuela. This is according to the report by Foreign Minister Stef Blok of the meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council of the European Union (EU) last week Monday.

The foreign ministers of the EU member states briefly spoke about Venezuela, says Blok. He offered to organize a meeting of the International Contact Group for Venezuela. In addition to countries from the European Union, this includes Latin American countries. Spain has also set itself up as the organizer of such a meeting.

According to Blok, whoever organizes the meeting, the countries must meet urgently. The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Spaniard Josep Borrell, indicated to the Foreign Affairs Council that the Oslo process is in an impasse.

Negotiations between President Nicolás Maduro's regime and the opposition are not progressing. But a political solution remains the goal of the EU. Borrell has proposed sending Enrique Iglesias, Special Adviser for Venezuela, to countries befriended with Venezuela.

He specifically mentioned Russia, Cuba and China. Iglesias should encourage these countries to play a constructive role in the issues surrounding Venezuela. According to Blok, the Netherlands has welcomed that idea. The Netherlands has again argued in favor of increasing the pressure on Maduro.

This should be done through new sanctions, aimed at individual members of the Maduro regime. The purpose of this is to get them back to the negotiating table.