Venezuela and the Islamic Republic of Iran signed new agreements on Saturday in key areas such as energy, transportation, tourism and agriculture, in what corresponds to a cooperation map 20 the coming years.
"We have reached 2022 in better condition, better prepared, and stronger to articulate the forces of Iran and Venezuela in a truly astonishing framework of cooperation," said President Nicolás Maduro, in a joint statement from Tehran with his Iranian counterpart, Seyed Ebrahim Raisi.
In energy matters, the new agreements cover oil, gas, petrochemicals and refineries.
"We have major areas of cooperation between Iran and Venezuela. In terms of energy, including oil, gas, refineries, and petrochemicals, and financially, with the Iran-Venezuela National Development Bank," Maduro emphasized.
In terms of tourism, the president emphasized, the direct Caracas-Tehran flight will open on July 18, which "will promote tourism and unity between our peoples."
"Venezuela, President Raisi, is open to welcoming Iranian tourists so they can come and enjoy the beauty of the Caribbean, South America, the Andes, and the Amazon," the Venezuelan head of state invited.
In agriculture, the agreements provide for technological development to produce more food based on the experience and progress made by Iran in this area, a country made up of almost 70% desert territory.
He said that for this reason, the Minister of Agriculture, Wilmar Castro Soteldo, is in the official delegation to prioritize two key aspects: technological cooperation "to produce more food in Venezuela" and joint "Iran-Venezuela projects to export to Iran and the entire Asian region."
He stated that the country has approximately 33 million hectares suitable for producing "food for Venezuela and for export."
"There are many things that remain to be done in the future to consolidate comprehensive economic recovery and expand our country's productive forces, learning from the historical experience of our sister Islamic Republic of Iran," he stated.
The Venezuelan head of state thanked his counterpart for his receptiveness. "I believe that between the two of us an indestructible friendship will grow between our peoples," he added.
strong will
The Iranian president stated that they believe there is "every opportunity for the exchange of experiences through scientific and technological centers" in the areas of oil, gas, petrochemicals, and agriculture.
"The signing of the 20-year cooperation agreement between Caracas and Tehran is an example of the strong commitment of the authorities of both countries to expand cooperation in every way," he emphasized.
Iran is the third stop on the Eurasian tour carried out by President Nicolás Maduro. He was previously in Türkiye and Algeria, where it also signed cooperation agreements in several areas.
Venezuela has signed more than 250 cooperation documents with Iran throughout its diplomatic relations.
In recent years, they have built a solid bilateral cooperation agenda for the benefit of both peoples, despite the sanctions and coercive measures imposed by the White House.
