Russian Military Base establishment in Venezuela not on agenda, says Venezuelan Ambassador

Moscow [Russia], Sep 24 (Sputnik/ANI): The issue of possible establishment of a Russian military base in Venezuela has not been considered so far, Venezuelan Ambassador in Russia Carlos Rafael Faria Tortosa told Sputnik in an interview.
"It has not been discussed so far," the ambassador said, when asked if the possibility of setting up a Russian military base in Venezuela was examined in the light of the recent statements by representatives of the United States and the Organization of American States (OAS) on possible foreign military intervention in Venezuela.
In the interview, the ambassador also revealed that the co-chairs of the Russia-Venezuela High-Level Intergovernmental Commission Yury Borisov and Tareck El Aissami might have a bilateral meeting ahead of the commission's holding.
"As part of the joint intergovernmental commission we have new co-chairs in both countries. The Venezuelan side is represented by Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Policies Tareck El Aissami, while the Russian party is represented by [Russian Deputy Prime Minister] Yury Ivanovich Borisov. The possibility of their meeting ahead of the holding of the high-level intergovernmental commission is being examined," the ambassador indicated.
According to the diplomat, the intergovernmental commission is likely to meet in late October - early November.
"There is no exact date yet; both sides are now working on the possibility of holding it [the commission's meeting] in the second half of October or early November. But there is still no exact date," the ambassador said.
The last meeting of the Russian-Venezuelan intergovernmental commission was held in the Venezuelan capital of Caracas in April.
The Ambassador also hinted at the Moscow visit of Venezuelan oil minister Manuel Quevedo to take part in the Russian Energy Week forum scheduled for October 3-6. While staying in Moscow he might meet with Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak.
"We have sent an invitation to our Oil Minister Manuel Quevedo to attend the Russian Energy Week, which will take place in October," the ambassador indicated.
Answering a question about Quevedo's possible meeting with Novak, the ambassador stated that such a meeting was very possible.
"One cannot but use such a wonderful opportunity to meet with the Russian energy minister, with the heads of enterprises, which have strategic cooperation with our government ... The agenda will become more comprehensive when Minister Quevedo's visit is confirmed," the diplomat stressed.
The diplomat added that there were no plans for Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's visit to Russia so far, but Caracas hoped it would take place soon.
"The president has not announced whether he would come, and definitely has not named the dates. But we hope that this visit will take place," the ambassador said. (Sputnik/ANI)