Hugo Chavez is extremely popular in Venezuela, but the president’s fidelity to his principles, a firm position on the world order and adherence to the idea of a multi-polar world won him international fame. Hugo Chavez finds any sort of foreign pressure inadmissible and advocates the right of every nation to determine its development model independently. There is much in common with Belarus’ national policies, so Alexander Lukashenko and Hugo Chavez found a common language very fast, at least the first thing President Chavez told President Lukashenko was that he had found a new friend across the ocean.Hugo Chavez spoke a lot about Belarus and showed perfect awareness of the modern life in Belarus and its glorious history. The Venezuelan president said he admired the courage that the Belarusians showed during the dire years of the Great Patriotic War, the perseverance of this nation in the post-Soviet period and consistency of the Belarusians in pursuing their independence and sovereignty. The distinguished guest observed certain similarities in the modern history of Belarus and Venezuela. He talked about the information attacks from abroad that his country had to repel, attempts of economic blackmail and willingness of foreign powers to destabilize the social and economic situation in his country…
This background of mutual understanding regarding modern processes in the world and ways of national development became a natural basis for a long and constructive talk between the two state leaders.
Summing up the results of the meeting before the press Alexander Lukashenko noted: “The products of the Belarusian economy are all in demand in Venezuela.” Hugo Chavez, in turn, confirmed that his country saw specific benefits in any sector of economy the two presidents discussed.
Venezuela is interested in importing foodstuffs, agricultural engineering, automobiles and machinery, etc. from Belarus. As for joint projects, Belarus and Venezuela mull establishing joint ventures in the Latin American country on the basis of Belarusian know-how. Hugo Chavez underlined that his country needed an impetus to develop industry, agribusiness and other sectors, in which Belarus had made gigantic progress. “We ask for assistance in order to make a technological breakthrough,” the Venezuelan president told reporters. “And we will have it with your help,” he added.
According to President Lukashenko, the cooperation model proposed by the Venezuelan leader is in line with Belarus’ foreign policies, as Belarus is looking for its niche on foreign markets through the establishment of joint ventures rather than ordinary export expansion. This way allows for the interests of both the sides, because a new plant in a foreign country means new jobs in the partner country. Sincere partners cherish this kind of policy.
Hugo Chavez assured President Lukashenko that Venezuela was not only interested in buying Belarusian goods, but also serving as a sort of foothold for Belarus to expand its exports all over Latin America.
The presidents discussed a wide range of other promising joint projects in power engineering, oil production, chemistry, fertilizer production, education, science and technologies. The main concluding document is the joint Belarusian-Venezuelan declaration signed by Alexander Lukashenko and Hugo Chavez. Besides, three intergovernmental agreements and three interbranch memoranda were signed to confirm the intention of the two countries to cooperate in political consultations, science, technologies and innovations. A special Belarusian-Venezuelan commission will prepare action plans to implement the agreements.
Hugo Chavez invited President Alexander Lukashenko to visit Venezuela.
