Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is needed for releasing the French-Colombian politician Ingrid Betancourt, Betancourt's sister says.

Ingrid Betancourt, a former senator, was captured by Colombia's FARC rebels during campaigning for the Colombian presidency in 2002.

Astrid, Ingrid's sister, believes that Chavez is indispensable to the efforts made for releasing his sister.

"Chavez knows how to talk to the FARC. He knows how to advance things. For us today President Chavez is indispensable," Astrid Betancourt told reporters in Geneva, referring to the rebel Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia.

She has also asked the EU to dismiss the terrorist label on FARC in order to resolve the situation in which besides Betancourt, 44 other hostages are being held by the Colombian rebels.

The Colombian government ended Chavez's participation in the hostage negotiations in December after accusing him of taking sides with FARC.

However, he became involved again earlier this month when the FARC announced that it would release three hostages to the president or his proxy.