Venezuelana
Since
joining Mercosur in 2012, Venezuela
has gained new options for playing its traditional role as mediator between
Latin America, Europe, the Carribean and the US. EU has henceforth looked upon
the relations as a division of labour, reflecting the emphasis under the
contractual relations the grouping entertains with Venezuela bilaterally and Mercosur
as well as the EULA-dialogue. On the agenda is the modernisation and
diversification of the Venezuelan economy, social dialogue and conflict management [read: the use of proxy forces to combat the spill-over from Colobian dryg wars and its attendant corruption]. It is now time to take the relationship to a higher level. The twin developments – the review of
EU-Mercosur Agreement and review of EU-Venezuelan partnership – provides
a golden opportunity for EU to reengage Caracas
and for Venezuela
to strengthen its traditional role of mediator in the region. But what could
the apposite moves be ?
First, Venezuela could consider taking a stake in the
development of Falkland oil fields, so as to ameliorate the prospects for
regional link-ups between BA-Valparaiso, Malvinas and Argentina.
Second,
were Caracas to
adopt anti-inflationary policies dialogue with ECB could be intensified
concerning an exchange rate arrangement, facilitating policy objectives, modernisation
and investments.
Third, Venezuela
considers inviting Canadian oil companies into the up-stream sector to help
redevelop its oil sector.
Fourth, Caracas could ask EU to engage Cuba and offer in return to fund an
Indigenous People-component out of Caricom, informed by EU policies on
Indigenous People.
Fifth, Caracas could organise a
follow-up Exposition to Ancient Americas:
Art from Sacred Landscapes in Caracas-Washington-Brussels. Caracas might even want to
set-up a Museum for American Art and Museum for Contemporary Latin American
Art.
Sixth, Venezuela
engages OAS in the educational field. It could fund Hugo Chavez Chairs on
American Archaelogy in Houston and Lima, and a Hugo Chavez Human Rights Chair at Bogota University.
On this
basis, under the EU-Mercosur Framework, options exists for a research programme
into eco efficient air condition instrallations and the funding and development of southern cone infrastructure, which is to be
reciprocated by access to European markets, and possibly buttress Mercosur’s
infrastructure planning. Outstanding is the simmering conflict in Colombia, opening avenues for a network of
think-tanks and relevant educational institutions in conflict prevention – Andean Community? –
as well as for engagement by European and US law enforcement agencies.
