Prime Minister returns after short “fruitful” visit to Venezuela

PRIME MINISTER, Dr Ralph Gonsalves and his delegation returned to the state yesterday, February 9 following a one day official visit to Venezuela.

The Prime Minister told the Agency for Public Information (API), that his trip was “very fruitful”.

In Venezuela, he met with the Minister of Foreign AffairsYvan Gil; Vice Minister with responsibility for Caribbean Affairs Raul Li Causi; and the President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Nicholas Maduro.

On the agenda was SVG’s presidency of the Community of Latin America and the Caribbean (CELAC), along with other regional and integration issues, such as air travel, Caricom and science and technological co-operation.

The Prime Minister also indicated that a number of bilateral discussions were held which produced decisive actions in relation to the disbursement of funds for two major projects. These are the Little Tokyo rehabilitation project; and the Fisheries Fleet Expansion Programme. These funds are now expected within 45-60 days.

The Prime Minister also took the opportunity to convey a message to the American leaders, that the government of Venezuela is interested in having good relations with the USA, in dignity and self-respect, and to have dialogue without

preconditions in the interest of peace and prosperity in the Hemisphere.

The Prime Minister’s delegation included Co-ordinator of the CELAC Secretariat, Dr. Douglas Slater; Information Officer at the API, Shevrell Macmillan and Prime Minister’s security, Gregory Lowman(API).