Venezuela and Russia sign nuclear energy deal

By Melissa Bryant
Reporter~SKNVibes.com

CARACAS, Venezuela - RUSSIAN PRESIDENT Dmitry Medvedev opened his visit to Caracas with the signing of a nuclear energy deal yesterday (Nov. 26) as he hailed Moscow's growing ties with left-leaning Venezuela.

According to BBC Caribbean, Medvedev’s trip marks the first visit by a Russian head of state to Venezuela.
The deal, which involves only civilian and peaceful uses of nuclear energy, is the highlight of several deals signed by the two governments and coincides with joint Russian-Venezuelan Naval exercises that will begin on Monday, December 1 in the Caribbean.

Apart from the nuclear deal, other accords included oil exploitation, industrial cooperation and removing visa requirements for each country’s citizens.

Medvedev received an ornate welcome featuring spear-wielding soldiers singing the two countries’ anthems in a palace courtyard decorated with palm trees, fountains and statues of classical gods.

“Our collaboration in recent years has strengthened considerably and is flourishing. I think that it has great prospects for the future and we will actively work on it.~~Adz:Right~~

“I'm convinced that this visit will give a boost to our collaboration and relations between Russia and Venezuela...which is one of our most important partners in Latin America,” he said.

Medvedev’s visit is part of a Latin American tour that also includes Peru, Brazil and Cuba and is aimed at revitalising Cold War-era ties with left-leaning countries of the region.

Russia has been a major arms supplier to Venezuela, providing radars, fighter jets, helicopters and tens of thousands of rifles to the Latin American country.