MOSCOW, October 7 (RIA Novosti) - Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and his Venezuelan counterpart Rafael Ramirez are to meet on October 8 in Moscow to discuss political and economic cooperation, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Alexander Lukashevich told RIA Novosti.
"The forthcoming talks … are expected to give a boost to Russia-Venezuela relations and affirm the intention of both sides to continue to actively develop strategic partnership between the two countries," Lukashevich said.
"Venezuela is one of the key partners for Russia in Latin America and globally," he added, noting that both countries were keen on promoting democracy abroad based on the rule of law.
Lukashevich noted that both countries saw the United Nations as a coordinating body in preserving and promoting peace and security around the world, resisting any attempts of certain countries to force "universal values" onto sovereign states and nations.
Venezuela is Russia's second-largest trade partner in Latin America after Brazil. Some of the most prominent Russian energy companies, such as Gazprom, Rosneft, Lukoil, National Oil Consortium and Inter RAO operate on the Venezuelan market.
Previous Russia-Venezuela talks took place in July during a meeting of Russian President Vladimir Putin and Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in Brazil, and in September between Lavrov and Ramirez at the 69th UN General Assembly in New York.
