TEHRAN -- President Ebrahim Raisi has reiterated Iran’s policy of enhancing cooperation with Latin American countries, including Venezuela.
During a meeting with Venezuelan president’s special envoy and minister of transport Ramon Velasquez here, Raisi said Tehran-Caracas ties are rapidly expanding and that the Islamic Republic has been “a friend of Venezuela’s in its tough times.”
The president touched on Iran’s policy of developing trade and economic ties with friendly countries as he underscored the significance of expanding cooperation with Latin American states, especially given their diverse capacities.
“We are ready to expand relations with Venezuela in all areas, especially in trade, energy, technology, science and defense,” the president added.
Velasquez, for his part, expressed satisfaction with the growing level of ties between Iran and Venezuela, stressing Caracas’ efforts to boost economic, trade, transit, and political cooperation with Tehran.
The Venezuelan official also referred to the technical and engineering capabilities of Iran, calling for better interaction between the two countries in this regard.
Velasquez also delivered Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro’s message to the Iranian president at the meeting.
In the presence of the two countries’ high-ranking officials in Tehran in June, the two presidents oversaw the signing of a 20-year partnership agreement aimed at bolstering cooperation in various fields between Tehran and Caracas.
The partnership agreement included cooperation in the fields of science, technology, agriculture, oil and gas, petrochemicals, tourism as well as culture.
Maduro lauded the 20-year partnership agreement, saying the two sides would be able to expand bilateral relationship by consolidating their ties and drawing a clear vision in the next two decades.
The Venezuelan president also confirmed the launch of direct flights from Caracas to Tehran and vice versa as of July 18, stressing that it would help develop tourism.