Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Hon Patteson John Oti, today formalized relations with Venezuela in a short ceremony in Washington D.C.

During the signing ceremony, discussions were held on possible areas of bilateral, trilateral with a third country and multilateral cooperation arrangement between the two countries.

Minister Oti acknowledged Venezuelan Agriculture support to the Pacific region through a UN Agency, UNCCD and looked forward to future discussion on related issues.

Venezuela is a Latin American country near Central America with a population of more than 26 million people. Venezuela has some of the world's largest oil deposits as well as huge quantities of coal, iron ore, bauxite and gold.

With President Hugo Chavez at the helm, Venezuela is one of the most highly urbanized countries in Latin America with Christianity as its major religion.
Minister Oti is attending the Pacific Leaders Conference.

The Minister will be returning to the country following attending a trade related meeting in Fiji.