Venezuelan Ambassador: Egypt plays major role in managing regional issues

“Since time immemorial, Egypt has been a strategic meeting point and this privileged geographical location, together with its invaluable contribution to human civilisation, make Egypt a space of union and define it as a key actor that plays a major role in the management of regional issues that impact the international relations of our time,” Barrientos said.

“Taking advantage of this vital geographical position, I believe that the current leadership leads Egyptian society to high stages of national development with structural transformations that will lead to greater progress, well-being and prosperity for Egypt today and for future Egyptian generations,” Barrientos added.

72 years of diplomatic ties

Ambassador Barrientos said that Venezuela and Egypt formalised their diplomatic ties on November 15, 1950, and with that founding act began a process of bilateral rapprochement that has allowed the development of fruitful ties of friendship, respect and cooperation, managing to establish a framework of fraternity and harmony that has prevailed over the geographical distance that separates Latin America from the African continent and from the Arab world.

“Both countries have travelled the path of co-operation, dialogue and mutual respect between two peoples united by principles that have allowed them to consolidate a common path based on their commitment to building a world that is conducive to having a fairer, more supportive and equitable based on the defence of International Law, reciprocity, understanding and dialogue with the supreme purpose of seeking peace.

“This new anniversary of the establishment of such a historic event for our peoples will always be a transcendental moment for our States, since the balance of this prolific relationship over 72 years is based on the relationship of friendship, cooperation, solidarity and mutual respect, which has allowed us to make decisions in various areas of common interest, for the benefit of our peoples.”

Relation with US

On March 7th, Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro reiterated his willingness to dialogue with representatives of the United States government, to advance in the strengthening of the Bolivarian Diplomacy of Peace, after informing that on March 5th he had received a delegation from the US government.

“As detailed by President Maduro, the meeting was respectful, cordial and very diplomatic. I thought it was very important to be able to talk face to face about issues of maximum interest to Venezuela and the world.

“They will continue the conversations, coordination and positive agenda between the two governments.”

The ambassador added that as the Executive Vice President Delcy Rodríguez has reiterated the initial approaches between Venezuela and the United States “cannot be conditioned under any circumstances”.

“Let us remember that Venezuela is an oil power and, as President Maduro has guaranteed, the country is prepared to increase its hydrocarbon production. Venezuela is prepared, once PDVSA (Venezuelan state-owned oil and natural gas company) is strengthened, to grow one, two, three million barrels if necessary for the stability of the world.”

Given the current situation, the ambassador added, Venezuela sees an opportunity to help the world achieve international peace and stability, hoping to contribute to the balance of oil prices. Venezuela, as the world’s leading oil reserve, plays a key role in the stability of the energy market and the contributions to be made will be made on the basis of equality and mutual respect among States.

Oil, gas co-operation

Within the framework of the VI Summit of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF), which was held in Qatari capital of Doha on February 21 and 22, 2022, Venezuelan Minister of Foreign Affairs Félix Plasencia, spoke of “a productive meeting” with Egypt’s Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Tarek el-Molla, and with whom he exchanged the strategic vision for the development of Venezuela’s energy and gas industry, agreeing on the importance of promoting cooperation with Egypt in this field.

“It is an agenda to be developed in the future that, undoubtedly, will require specialised exchanges between the technicians of the respective hydrocarbon industries to define the scope of the joint projects to be developed in the energy field,” Ambassador Barrientos added.

Culture

Ambassador Barrientos said that Egypt and Venezuela are working to promote greater cooperation in the cultural sphere and further strengthen the ties of brotherhood between the two peoples, with a view to achieving a higher level of exchange in this field, with special emphasis on the area of museology, restoration of heritage and the fight against illicit trafficking in cultural property, as well as reciprocal participation in cultural festivals.

Trade

Ambassador Barrientos said that trade between the two countries is incipient.

“Given the potential and complementarity of our economies, we are working to promote two-way trade and consolidate a mutually beneficial exchange framework for our peoples, in a win-win business scheme.”