Russian deputy premier meets with Venezuelan president Maduro in Caracas

Yuri Borisov

CARACAS, October 6. /TASS/: Russian Deputy Prime Minister Yuri Borisov met with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in Caracas on Saturday at the Miraflores Palace in Caracas.

The meeting at the Venezuelan president’s office lasted less than an hour.

Prior to the meeting, Maduro said the Russian deputy premier’s visit to Caracas was very important in the wake of his recent talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

"We need to make sure that istructions are being implemented and that work continues," the Venezuelan leader said. "I think it would be a good idea to comprise a ten-year plan to have a clear understanding of our future."

Earlier in the day, Borisov met with Venezuelan Executive Vice-president Delcy Rodriguez, the Venezuelan Foreign Ministry said

"Executive Vice-president Delcy Rodriguez, together with Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza are receiving the co-chairmen of the Russian-Venezuelan intergovernmental commission in the Yellow House [the Venezuelan Foreign Ministry’s main office]," the ministry said in a statement, attaching images made during the meeting.

Prior to that, Borisov met with Venezuela's Vice President Tareck El Aissami, who is the co-chair of the Russian-Venezuelan intergovernmental commission.

Earlier, the Venezuelan leader said the two countries are to sign a series of agreements in economy, energy and technology during Borisov’s visit to Caracas.

Cooperation roadmap

Russia and Venezuela plan to draft a long-term cooperation plan for 2020-2030, Borisov told reporters.

"By the next intergovernmental commission meeting we will try to compile a document of strategic nature to define our relations in trade and economy, science and technology for a long-term period of at least until 2030," the Russian official said after talks with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

Borisov added that his visit to Caracas was "purely technical."

"We discussed concrete measures for trade turnover buildup and economic recovery of Venezuela," the deputy premier added.

The minister said that during his visit, he saw that the situation in the country was stable.

Bilateral deals

Borisov and Venezuela's Vice President Tareck El Aissami, who is in charge of economic and financial issues, signed a series of agreements in energy, economy and cooperation during their meeting in Caracas, the Venezuelan presidential administration said.

The Venezuelan presidential administration’s press service quoted President Nicolas Maduro as saying that the sides "discussed all issues" during Borisov’s visit.

"There are new projects in economy, in exchange of technologies with the support of Russian entrepreneurs," Maduro was quoted as saying in a statement.

The sides also signed new deals on cooperation in agriculture and "extended contracts to render defense support" to Venezuela.

According to Venezuelan authorities, a total of 264 agreements have been signed by the two states to date.