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Chavez in Russia to Talk Energy, Defense

   VOA News 14 October 2010
   Russian  President  Dmitry  Medvedev (Front) and Venezuela's President
   Hugo Chavez during their meeting in Gorki residence outside Moscow, 14
   Oct 2010

Photo: AP

   Russian  President  Dmitry  Medvedev (Front) and Venezuela's President
   Hugo Chavez during their meeting in Gorki residence outside Moscow, 14
   Oct 2010

   Venezuelan  President  Hugo Chavez has arrived in Moscow to hold talks
   with Russian leaders on joint energy, defense and finance ventures.
   Mr.  Chavez  will meet with Russian President Dmitri Medvedev Thursday
   to  kick off his 10-day international tour aimed at strengthening ties
   with allies.
   The  leaders' economic-defense agenda includes discussion on a jointly
   run bank aimed at financing co-operative ventures. Â
   Russia  has  agreed to supply Venezuela with materials and know-how to
   build  a  nuclear  reactor.  Both countries say nuclear energy will be
   used for peaceful purposes.
   Russia  and  Venezuela have forged close ties during Mr. Chavez's term
   in  office,  marked  by  his  belligerent relationship with the United
   States. Â
   Moscow  has  become  a  main  weapons  supplier  to the South American
   nation, with an arms deal totaling more than $4 billion.

   Mr. Chavez's trip also includes stops in Iran, Syria, Belarus, Ukraine
   and Portugal.

   Some information for this report was provided by AFP and Reuters.

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