Venezuela, U.S. seek to mend bilateral relations
Venezuelan Foreign Minister Nicolas Maduro and U.S. ambassador William Brownfield met here on Thursday, seeking to improve bilateral relations.

After the meeting, Maduro told reporters that their talks were "frank, very clear and, we could say, cordial amid tensions."

Maduro said the U.S. State Department and U.S. Assistant Secretary for Western Hemisphere Affairs Thomas Shannon had shown a "positive" attitude toward President Hugo Chavez's re-election, which could be viewed as a "sign" of the U.S. willingness to establish talks with Venezuela and served as a basis for new and improved bilateral ties.

Maduro also said Venezuela-U.S. relations should be based on mutual respect and recognition of Venezuela's sovereignty.

Brownfield described the talks as being very efficient, saying that the two countries had begun a "process of dialogue."

Both sides had shown interest in strengthening communication and eradicating "unfavorable elements" in bilateral relations, he added.

"We should learn to walk before running," said Brownfield, adding that some issues "require a decision by the two governments... about whether they are appropriate issues for these first steps toward dialogue."

Brownfield said earlier that the United States hoped for a thaw in relations with Venezuela and suggested that the two countries start with talks on anti-terrorism and other issues that were regarded as a priority by both governments.

Reports said the two countries had agreed to continue to discuss security and terrorist extradition issues in January.

After Chavez won the re-election early this month, the U.S. State Department expressed the hope to build "positive, constructive" relations with Venezuela.

Assistant Secretary Thomas Shannon also hoped Chavez to "put more interests" in expanding dialogues with the United States in his next term.

The relations between the United States and Venezuela have been tense and the two sides are often in war of words.