Foreign Minister: Russia, Venezuela agree on key issues

Pravda20:02 2003-05-16

Russia and Venezuela share common positions on key international issues, Russian foreign Minister Igor Ivanov said in the wake of the talks with his Venezuelan counterpart, Roy Chaderton.

"Russia and Venezuela are closely cooperating on the international arena in dealing with all the key issues, our positions coincide totally or partially," Ivanov emphasized.

Chaderton, too, confirmed his Russian counterpart's statement. "I try to recall at least one issue on which we do not see eye to eye, but I fail," he admitted.

According to Ivanov, the sides discussed the Iraq and Middle East situation as seen through the prism of a stronger UN role, stressing the importance of international problems' settlement on the basis of due respect for international law.

According to the minister, Moscow is interested in the enhancement of economic cooperation with Venezuela. "In this connection, we attach additional importance to the upcoming September sitting of the Enlarged Commission for Trade and Economic Issues," Ivanov said.

Chaderton, in turn, told the media people that Caracas is looking forward to the Venezuelan energy minister's visit to Moscow slated for June. "We have a scope of common goals and interests with Russia in this sphere," he stressed. Venezuela's vice president is also due to visit Moscow in September.

Chaderton emphasized that Moscow and Caracas "have every reason to look into the future considering the commonality of interests." "This is my third visit to Russia, and I would like to plan the fourth, the fifth and even the sixth today," Chaderton joked.