Caracas: Iran and Venezuela have reaffirmed their determination to remove obstacles hindering the development of bilateral economic and trade ties, particularly in their private sectors. During Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf’s visit to Venezuela, he met with Venezuelan Transport Minister Ramon Velasquez, who also heads the joint economic commission between the two countries.

According to Islamic Republic News Agency, Qalibaf emphasized the historical connection between the two nations, highlighting the shared experiences following the Islamic Revolution in Iran and the Bolivarian Revolution in Venezuela. He described this moment as a valuable opportunity to advance cooperation and resist unilateralism globally.

Qalibaf warned of a ‘ruthless common enemy’ poised to strike both nations and urged against wasting time, calling for the optimal use of the current opportunity. He underscored the necessity to overcome bureaucratic hurdles to enhance growing ties, especially in trade and the private sector.

Velasquez echoed Qalibaf’s sentiments, acknowledging persistent external threats. He mentioned President Nicolas Maduro’s assertion that the enemy is ever-vigilant and continually seeks new avenues of attack. Velasquez pointed out that during his tenure leading the commission, they successfully revived projects that had been stalled for over 15 years, making them operational and progressing well.

The Venezuelan minister pledged to address bureaucratic issues to facilitate strategic cooperation in trade and other fields. Qalibaf’s visit to Venezuela marks the beginning of his three-nation Latin American tour. He is scheduled to visit Cuba and then Brazil, where he will attend the 11th BRICS Parliamentary Forum in Brasilia, themed ‘The Role of BRICS Parliaments in Creating a More Inclusive and Sustainable Global Governance.’