July 30, 2006
President Chávez: 'We will always support Iran'

(El Nacional) - "Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez invited Iran to expand investments in the energy sector, particularly to develop the Orinoco River, which is reach in crude oil and gas in the coastlines.

Chávez has planned to sign several commercial agreements with Tehran. Iranian companies have already invested 1 billion dollars, especially in the energy, construction and tractor building sector. 'We invite Iranian companies to the Venezuelan Gulf and delta for gas production', said Chávez during a press conference in Tehran' (...)

Venezuela and Iran are two of the main critics of the US in the international scenario. 'Cooperation is not only limited to oil, it also covers science, medicine and production of industrial samples' (...)

It is expected that Chávez receives the 'Great Medal of the Islamic Republic of Iran before the end of his visit'. The Iranian President accepted an invitation to make an official visit to Caracas in October this year. Chávez visit was part of a group of state visits to Russia, Belarus, Qatar, Vietnam and Mali.

Petropars, the state owned oil company from Iran, has already certified some reserves of heavy oil in the Orinoco Belt and wants to expand its operations to achieve more developments (...)".