April 25, 2007
Venezuela and Chile strengthen the union between their countries

(Petroleumworld.com) - With the official visit of Chilean President Michelle Bachelet to Venezuela, the two countries signed several agreements of cooperation in different areas. President Bachelet and Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez confirmed their commitment to strengthen the union between their countries (...)

After joining leaders of the region for the South American Energy Summit in Porlamar, Venezuela, the Chilean President then traveled to Caracas for an official visit. Signing a joint declaration, Chávez and Bachelet made the commitment to deepen the relations between Chile and Venezuela in light of their common historic and cultural roots.

'We have, and we want to have, the best relations with the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela,' said Chile's Michelle Bachelet during the signing of the agreements. 'And we also have (good relations) with Cuba and the United States. But that does not prevent us from having differences, in fact we have had them in the past and surely we will have them in the future,' she stated.

The two presidents signed four different agreements of cooperation during a meeting in the Miraflores Presidential Palace. The agreements are for economic cooperation between the two countries as well as cooperation in the areas of energy, education, and social issues.

In the energy sector, the countries made an agreement of cooperation between Venezuela's state-owned oil company (PDVSA), and the Chilean National Oil Company (ENAP). Venezuela agreed to reserve a part of the Orinoco oil fields in cooperation with Chile, an agreement that could guarantee the nation with a supply of a substantial volume of crude oil in the future.

Regarding education, an agreement was signed to exchange information about the educational activities developed by the Ministries of Foreign Relations of both countries. Venezuela's Nicolás Maduro signed the document along with Chile's Alejandro Foxley.

An agreement was also signed between the president of Venezuela's Institute of Small and Medium-sized Industry (Inapyme), Américo Mata, and Iván Vuskoc, president of Chile's United National Confederation of Medium, Small and Micro-industry. The agreement will favor economic and social cooperation between the two countries (...)

'It is our obligation elevate the level of historic and moral relations between us,' said President Chávez. 'We must resolve any differences and move forward together toward a better future.'

In her speech President Bachelet also made reference to the need for integration between South American nations. She said Chile would respect the diversity of international relations.

'Our duty in foreign policy is to respect that diversity, and we can work with this diversity among all the nations in a climate of respect and friendship,' she said (...)".