Venezuela, Spain sign cooperation deals
Venezuela and Spain signed several deals on political, commercial and defense cooperation Wednesday, marking a new phase of their ties which had been chilled by Spain's alleged support of the 2002 coup against Venezuelan President Hugo Rafael Chavez Frias.

The deals, signed by Chavez and visiting Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, included sales of 10 Spanish transport planes and four coastal patrol vessels to Venezuela.

Chavez, who has been criticized by Washington for Venezuela's recent arms purchases, said the military deal is "for peaceful purposes," noting the equipment will be used to patrol high seas and land borders to prevent drug trafficking.

Under the deals, Spanish and Venezuelan oil companies will establish a joint venture to increase Venezuela's oil output. Besides, Spain agreed to build two asphalt tankers and one Panamax oil tanker for Venezuela.

The agreements also included the establishment of a Spanish-Venezuelan trade commission to improve relations between the two countries' economic and trade organizations.

Chavez, who survived a coup against him in 2002, accused Zapatero's predecessor and Washington's close ally, Jose Maria Aznar, of supporting the coup which the latter denied.

Since Zapatero took office in April 2004, he has changed Aznar's foreign policy by withdrawing Spanish troops from Iraq and seeking closer relations with Cuba and Venezuela, two countries often being criticized by the US government.

Send this Page To a Friend