Iranian, Venezuelan presidents hold talks

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and his Venezuelan counterpart Hugo Chavez held private talks for one hour Sunday after arrival in Caracas of the Iranian president. Bilateral as well as key regional and international issues of common interest covered Ahmadinejad’s talks with Chavez. In the following session, attended by the accompanying delegations of the two presidents, the two sides underlined expansion of ties in all available fields notably economic and commercial sectors. President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad arrived in the Venezuelan capital Sunday and was officially welcomed by his Venezuelan counterpart Hugo Chavez. On entering Venezuela’s air space, the airplane carrying Ahmadinejad was escorted by four jet fighter planes. President Ahmadinejad was welcomed by a 21-gun salute as a sign of peace and friendship and then the two presidents reviewed a guard of honor. The Iranian president is visiting Caracas in response to an invitation from Chavez. The Venezuelan people carrying national flags of both countries were standing on the streets all along the way from airport to the presidential palace, expressing their enthusiasm for Ahmadinejad’s visit to their country. Also posters of the two presidents and placards with welcome messages were put up on the streets and squares in Spanish and Persian languages. During his two-day visit, the chief executive is scheduled to confer with his Venezuelan counterpart on matters of mutual interest. Besides, at a video conference, he will inaugurate several joint economic and industrial projects. On the first day of his visit to Venezuela, the president will attend a ceremony, where he will receive an honorary medal of the host country and will deliver a speech. Ahmadinejad is also expected to attend a ceremony to inaugurate a joint oil project. Iran’s Petro Pars Oil Company and Venezuelan Oil Company will begin drilling operations at Venezuelan Aikuchi Oil Field.