Russia, Venezuela boost defense, economic ties

Source: PressTV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=122319§ionid=351020704


Russia and Venezuela have struck major deals on energy and economy amid negotiations on nuclear and space cooperation.

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez have inked a number of deals to enhance Venezuela's oil production and jolt the country's economy during Putin's state visit to Caracas.

Venezuelan energy companies are set to work along a Russian consortium in developing the country's vast Orinoco oil reserve, Russian energy sector officials said Friday.

Russia has also agreed to assist Venezuela with an economic stimulus.

"Our Finance Ministry have considered Venezuela's request for a $2.2-billion loan...and I informed the Venezuelan president today that Russia is ready to give this loan [to Venezuela]," RIA Novosti quoted Putin as saying at a joint press conference with Venezuelan leader on Friday.

Venezuela also received four Russian MI-17 helicopters as the first batch of the country's 2006 order for 38 double-purpose helicopters.

Meanwhile, Chavez announced plans for the construction of a nuclear plant with Russia's help and noted, "We are prepared to begin drawing up the first project for a nuclear power generator, obviously for peaceful purposes... We aren't going to make an atomic bomb."

He also spoke of plans for space cooperation with Russia and said, "Russia offers help so that Venezuela can have its own industry for the use of outer space."

"We could install a satellite launcher here and a factory. We are already doing so with China, but Russia is offering to support Venezuela build its own [space] industry," he added.

Chavez dubbed Putin's visit an "important day for the country and for Latin America" and stated that the two counties were "forging [bonds], like steel, a new multi-polar world."

Reports indicate that Caracas seeks to buy at least one multi-purpose Be-200 amphibious aircraft, 92 T-72 tanks and an unspecified number of Smerch multiple rocket launchers from Moscow, among other military equipment.