Venezuela's leader Hugo Chavez has met Belarussian President Alexander Lukashenko, in Minsk. The visit is seen as another Venezuelian trial to set up a network of equals around the world.
"Here we feel ourselves to be among our brothers," Chavez was qouted after his arrival at Minsk airport on Sunday, July 24th. He has stayed for three days to discuss different fields of co-operation, including military issues.
"There are no doubts that Lukashenko and Chavez will find a common language. Both presidents are charismatic public figures, even though the international community has labelled them dictators," a Belarussian news website, tut.by, commented on the meeting. "Chavez has already affected almost the whole of Central America and Caribbean states with his anti-Americanism... He will probably find a couple of interesting suggestions for Belarus too," the website wrote.
After arriving in the Belarussian capital, Chavez said he wanted greater economic cooperation between Belarus and Venezuela, particularly in the sectors of energy, petrochemicals, machinery, education and science. Belarus is a major manufacturer of farm machines and trucks, but also of tanks and arms, while Venezuela is one of the world's leading oil producers.
The Venezuelan leader also visited a Belarussian military academy, in Minsk, before moving on to Russia, where he should meet President Vladimir Putin and mark a deal under which Russia will supply 30 Su-30 fighter jets and 30 helicopters to Venezuela. Washington has voiced worries about Russian arms sales to Venezuela, having banned such deals with Caracas for US manufacturers. Chavez said last month that his visit to Russia could see a deal on building a Kalashnikov assault rifle factory in Venezuela, news agencies reported.
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