Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s opening remarks at a meeting with President of Venezuela Nicolas Maduro

Thank you very much, Mr President.

It is good to see you. I am happy to be back in Caracas among friends, at home, as you said. President Vladimir Putin sends you his warmest greetings and best wishes.

On February 17, three days ago, we marked the 167th anniversary of our interstate ties. Since then, our friendship and the traditions accumulated over this period have been strengthening and contributing to the development of bilateral relations, and the mobilisation of supporters of a just world order to fight against the manifestations of diktat, blackmail, Nazism and colonialism.

Today we had useful meetings with Executive Vice President Delcy Rodriguez and talks with Foreign Minister Yvan Gil. We confirmed good progress in all areas of bilateral cooperation, including in trade and the economy. The latest meeting of the High-Level Intergovernmental Russian-Venezuelan Commission outlined a truly long-term, sustainable and mutually beneficial programme in energy, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, medicine, space, and high technology.

We talked about our cultural ties. In the morning we unveiled a monument to Alexander Pushkin. It was a bright event with the participation of the Mayor of Caracas Carmen Melendez and the Minister of Culture Ernesto Villegas.

We discussed our cooperation in the international arena, primarily in the UN and other platforms. The fight against unilateralism, diktat and blackmail in world affairs is now led by the Group of Friends in Defence of the UN Charter, established on the initiative of Venezuela with our support. It is attracting a growing number of supporters. At the same time, the “For the Freedom of Nations” Forum of Supporters of the Struggle Against Modern Practices of Neocolonialism was recently held with the participation of Venezuelan friends.

We are aware of the interest of our Venezuelan friends in rapprochement with BRICS. Russia, as chair of the association this year, will contribute to this.

Nicolas Maduro: I hope we will hear good news soon. When are the elections in Russia?

Sergey Lavrov: March 17.

Nicolas Maduro: Immediately after them, I would like to visit Moscow to celebrate the victory of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Sergey Lavrov: We look forward to seeing you, Mr President.