Chavez in Volgograd, Russia Tuesday
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez began a three day visit to Russia Tuesday, choosing that city in honor of the Battle of Stalingrad to initiate his fourth presidential visit to further friendship and cooperation between Moscow and Caracas.

Bilateral trade last year grew 61.6 percent, some 77 million dollars, and non-weapon exchange is expected to increase 400 percent in 2006.

Alexis Navarro, ambassador of Venezuela to Russia, noted that Volgograd is a sister city with Bolivar State and that Bolivar Gov. Francisco Rangel will sign a new joint bilateral petroleum accord there in a few days.

Besides the contract with Russia´s Lukoil, a contract will be signed for ships to navigate the Orinoco-Apure Rivers, an area of great interest to Venezuelan authorities.

Concerning Chavez´ choice of Volgograd, Ambassador Navarro explained that the president has tremendous admiration for the heroic people who defeated Von Paulus´ German troops there in WWII, which had enormous significance for humanity.