Russia and Venezuela signed seven documents on the development of cooperation in different fields on the results of the sixth session of the inter-governmental high-level commission that took place in the Constantine Palace near St. Petersburg on Saturday, Itar-Tass reported. The session was chaired by Russian Vice Prime Minister Igor Sechin and Venezuelan Vice President Ramon Carrizales. Both parties signed a programme of action in tourism, an agreement of intent to prepare an inter-governmental document on education, as well as an agreement on processing of petroleum coke, an agreement on the environmental protection and fishery, and a document on illicit drug trafficking. The co-chairmen also signed a final act on the results of their talks. The Venezuelan vice president stressed that his country praised the signing of the agreement on cooperation in drug trafficking. He recalled that Venezuela had concluded more than 50 deals with different countries in this field. “Today's agreement will allow us to improve closer interaction with Russia,” he added. Carrizales said an agreement to create a Russian-Venezuelan bank to finance development projects would be signed in September as part of President Hugo Chavez's visit to Russia. Igor Sechin said this bank would provide funding to different projects, including projects in the oil sector. Earlier in the day, during the commission's session both parties approved amendments to a memorandum on the creation of the Russian-Venezuelan bank. The final document will be signed by the leaders of the two countries.
