Russian-Venezuelan Cooperation Not Directed Against Other Countries – Medvedev

Text of report by state-controlled Russian Channel One TV on 22 July

[Presenter] The presidents of Russia and Venezuela will take the implementation of joint projects in the oil and gas sphere under their personal control. This topic was discussed at today’s talks between Dmitriy Medvedev and Hugo Chavez, who had arrived in Moscow on a brief working visit. It was the two leaders’ first meeting in person. The meeting resulted in the signing of several agreements on the participation of Russian oil companies in the exploration of [oil] deposits in Venezuela.

Dmitriy Medvedev stressed that that the point at issue was mutually beneficial cooperation between Moscow and Caracas that was not directed against other states.

[Medvedev] Russia and Venezuela are two very major oil and gas [producing] powers, and, among other issues, ensuring energy security depends on our concerted actions too. We will work in a mutual, concerted and correct manner. Our cooperation is not directed against some [other] states. It is a mutually beneficial cooperation in which both the people of Russia and the people of Venezuela are interested. And I think that this cooperation benefits not only our countries but also those states that are cooperating with us. [c/r 14:0230-0310]

Originally published by Channel One TV, Moscow, in Russian 1400 22 Jul 08.

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