Venezuelan president begins Malaysian visit with oil, gas on agenda

Aug 28, 2006, 11:23 GMT

Kuala Lumpur - Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez was accorded an official state welcome in Malaysia Monday as he kicked off a four-day visit aimed at enhancing bilateral ties and cooperation in the oil and gas industry.

The welcome ceremony was held at the Parliament ahead of Chavez's closed-door talks later in the day with Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

The leaders are to discuss international issues of common concern, particularly the Middle East, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement released to the official Bernama news agency.

Chavez had arrived in Malaysia late Sunday from a weeklong trip to China.

The ministry's statement said the visit would present an opportunity for Venezuela to explore close cooperation with Malaysia in the oil and gas industries.

The visit marked the Venezuelan leader's second official trip to Malaysia, which is one of the world's major palm-oil producers.

Malaysia currently chairs the 57-nation Organization of the Islamic Conference, the world's largest Islamic political bloc, and has strongly criticized Israel's attacks in Lebanon.

Chavez, a loud critic of the United States has also slammed Israel for its attacks on Lebanon.

Chavez was scheduled to address a business forum, and both countries are to sign a pact on avoidance of double taxation, Bernama said.