Iran-Venezuela Establish Parliamentary Friendship Group
The ceremony, which was attended by the President of the Venezuelan National Assembly, William Lara, the Iranian Ambassador to Caracas, Mohammad Keshavarz-Zadeh, and a number of deputies from Iran's Islamic Consultative Assembly (Majlis), formally announced creation of the two countries' parliamentary friendship group.
On Caracas' efforts to stabilize oil supplies, the Iranian ambassador said they helped put oil prices at a desirable level last year.
Referring to Tehran-Caracas relations, he said the tremendous potentials in trade, agriculture and culture of both states give every reason to boost bilateral ties, particularly in the mentioned areas.
He expressed hope both countries' newly created parliamentary friendship group would play a decisive role in raising mutual cooperation.
"The Venezuelan National Assembly and President Hugo Chavez determine the country's foreign policy with respect to promotion of ties with member states of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC)," Lara said.
"The Venezuelan government will do all within its power to further expand ties with the Iranian government and nation," he said, adding that toward this end the Venezuelan Parliament will dispatch a parliamentary delegation to the Islamic Republic in the near future to study avenues for greater inter-parliamentary relations between the two countries. This delegation will accompany President Chavez during the latter's second visit to Iran, Lara further said.
Meanwhile, Chavez confirmed on Sunday that he is about to embark on a 20-day overseas tour which includes visits to Russia, China, India, Iran, Malaysia and Indonesia.
It will be the second time that the head of oil-rich Venezuela will pay a visit to the Islamic Republic of Iran.
President Chavez first visited Iran in August last year during a tour which also took him to other OPEC member states.
During that visit the presidents of Iran and Venezuela discussed preparations for the second OPEC summit meeting held in Caracas later in the year.
Khatami and Chavez also reviewed Tehran-Caracas bilateral ties.
A month later, President Mohammad Khatami, heading a high-ranking delegation, arrived in the Venezuelan capital city of Caracas on September 26 last year for an official visit and also to attend the second OPEC summit held in that city from September 27 to 28.