MADRID, July 20 (Xinhuanet) -- Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos said Tuesday that his government is confident thatthe upcoming referendum in Venezuela will be held under the "best conditions" despite "certain difficulties" in arranging the presence of European observers.

    During a meeting with his Venezuelan counterpart Jesus Arnaldo Perez, Moratinos said he hopes the Aug. 15 recall referendum against President Hugo Chavez will provide political and democratic calmness in the South American country.

    While recognizing "certain difficulties" in arranging the European presence, Moratinos said he valued the fact that Venezuela has asked the Organization of American States (OAS) to serve as an international observer in the country's democratization process.

    Negotiations between the European Commission, the executive armof the European Union, and the Venezuelan National Electoral Council (CNE) on the presence of European observers are still under way, the Spanish minister added.

    Perez promised that the referendum will be held "with all due balance" to guarantee democracy in Venezuela.

    The Venezuela government is prepared to accept any outcome, he assured.

    Since his election in 1998, President Chavez, accused by his opponents of wrecking Venezuela's economy, has experienced two general strikes, a 48-hour coup in April 2002 and a strike at the beginning of last year.

    The recall referendum is the latest challenge to the former army officer's five-year rule. Enditem