Russian MPs visiting Venezuela to strengthen ties
06:05 PM Caracas .- A group of Russian lawmakers is visiting Venezuela to strengthen ties of friendship and follow up bilateral agreements signed between Moscow and Caracas, ABN announced today, reviewed AFP

The delegation of five deputies, belonging to the Russian parliamentary friendship group, Venezuela, is headed by the representative Vladimir Pekhtin, the ruling party "United Russia".

In his first days in Caracas, Russian legislators visited the headquarters of the National Assembly.

This visit is part of "aggressive diplomacy that has Venezuela, through which it seeks to deepen and strengthen ties of friendship with the Russian Federation and the Parliament of this country," said Venezuelan Deputy Abdel Al Zabayar to receive their Russian pairs.

"This relationship with the Russian Federation strengthens us in order to find alternatives for a new global diplomacy," added Al Zabayar.

According to the deputy, during his stay in Caracas Russian representatives will follow up on several of the agreements signed between Russia and Venezuela regarding oil, gas, environmental and automotive.

On Wednesday, Russian lawmakers will meet with the president of the National Assembly, Cilia Flores. Also planned are several meetings with the Ministers of Economy and Finance, Ali Rodriguez, and the Environment, Yubirí Ortega.

In recent years, Caracas has reinforced its cooperation with Russia, especially in the military, through a major program to purchase weapons, which included 24-30 Sukhoi fighter planes Mk2, 100,000 Kalashnikov rifles and several helicopters.