First modification:
In a joint press conference, Nicolás Maduro and Ebrahim Raisi formalized the agreement that begins “an indestructible friendship.” It aims to strengthen ties “in all areas” and, although they did not give further details, one of the most important points is related to food security and technological development so that Caracas produces more food to control its crisis, supply Tehran and the rest of the region.
As part of his international tour that included visits to Turkey and Algeria, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro announced a collaboration agreement with Iran, which will last for at least the next two decades.
In a press conference with his Iranian counterpart, Ebrahim Raisi, at the Sad Abad Palace in Tehran, he stated that both countries have “great cooperation fronts” and that it is “a truly amazing map.”
Both leaders agreed that this is the beginning of “an indestructible friendship”, in a deepening of friendly relations that date from the times of Hugo Chávez at the head of the South American nation and that were maintained in the Maduro era.
The Venezuelan head of state stated that this alliance will cover “all areas.” “At the strategic level, oil, gas, refineries, petrochemicals, at the financial level, at the defense level,” he listed.
We are building a map of cooperation with strategies and plans for the next 20 years of developing relations between Iran and Venezuela. We have our sights set on the great future of our peoples. It’s the New World! Attentive and attentive of our visit to Iran!
– Nicolas Maduro (@NicolasMaduro) June 11, 2022
For his part, the Iranian president stressed the importance of reinforcing this link to confront the “imperialism” of the United States. “The signing of the 20-year cooperation document is a sign of the will of the high authorities of both countries to expand ties in different areas,” he said.
Raisi highlighted the “perfect resistance” that Venezuela has shown to survive the “sanctions and threats of imperialism.” He also recalled that the Iranian people have suffered the same treatment for “more than 40 years”.
The detailed details of the cooperation agreement were not released by the leaders, but one of the most important points would be aimed at “consolidating the sovereignty and food security” of both nations.
In that sense, between Caracas and Tehran they will work in the technological field so that Latin Americans produce more food for domestic consumption and for export to the Middle East.
On the other hand, Maduro also announced that from next July 18 they will start direct flights between the capitals, although it is an announcement that has already been made previously without materializing.
The close ties between the two countries grew during Maduro’s term, especially in 2020, when Venezuela suffered from gasoline shortages and the Asians came to their aid. Last May, the state-owned National Petroleum Engineering and Construction Corporation of Iran won a contract for 110 million euros to repair the smallest refinery in Venezuela.
With EFE and AP
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