Medvedev says visit to Venezuela is no threat to others

Nov 27, 2008, 12:25 GMT

Caracas - During his controversial visit to Venezuela, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev signed plans for more bilateral cooperation in the fields of defence and nuclear energy.

Following a meeting with Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez in the early hours of Thursday in Caracas, the two leaders stressed that their reinforced cooperation did not imply a threat to any other country.

In the meantime, warships from both countries were preparing a joint naval exercise in the Caribbean.

Medvedev was set to visit communist Cuba in the last lap of a South American trip that had also taken him to Peru and Brazil.

In a press conference, the Russian leader said Russia wants to intensify both military and civilian cooperation with Venezuela.

'This cooperation is not aimed at a third country. It is a new pragmatic concretion in the multipolar world,' Medvedev stressed.

Chavez, a left-wing populist nationalist and a declared enemy of the United States, said in turn that the joint naval exercise 'is not against anybody.'

'They are communications manoeuvres, for the fight against drugs, as the Russian president said. This is not against anybody. Some analysts have tried to say that it is a threat against Colombia, against the United States. This is not against anybody. We are making use of international law,' he said.

Chavez further noted that the joint exercise was an 'honour' for Venezuela and sent a 'message of peace.'