Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez branded as a "disrespect" for his country Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs Miguel Ángel Moratinos' statements on the Venezuelan move not to renew the broadcast license for private television network RCTV, and said he was "taking distance" from Spain, even though "it hurts."

In an interview with Efe, Chávez claimed that Venezuela-European Union relations "should be better," adding that "there is quite a lot of lack of understanding, many complexes" on the European side.

Chávez pointed to Moratinos' remarks on the government's refusal to renew the broadcast license for RCTV, which ceased operations last May 27.

Last week, Moratinos reasserted the Spanish government's "concern" about the move on RCTV. Moratinos' comments came in response to a question posed by a deputy of conservative People's Party in Congress.

"For example, Foreign Minister Moratinos, whom I know, has given in to pressures -because in Congress the party of (former Spanish government head José María) Aznar put pressure on him- and made a statement," Chávez said.

Moratinos "regretted Venezuela's move (on RCTV). He has nothing to be sorry for. That is harmful for relations. I am taking distance. This is sad," Chávez added.

When asked to clarify his words, he replied: "Yes, I am taking distance from Spain, from its government. This is disrespect."

 

"Our efforts to have relations based on affection, respect, cooperation in every sense are not valued," he added.

Regarding RCTV case, he underscored it was "an internal, legal, constitutional, routine decision" that "does not hit the European countries in any way."