国际英语新闻：Venezuelan president, Russian PM review bilateral ties

CARACAS, April 2 (Xinhua) -- Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez and visiting Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin on Friday reviewed the expansion of bilateral cooperation between the two countries since 2001, centered on weapons and energy.

Chavez and Putin held a meeting in the Miraflores Palace located in the center of Caracas, where they discussed various agreements in such areas as industry, transportation, finance, space technology, agriculture, education and culture.

During Putin's visit to Venezuela, the two leaders will also have a working lunch and sign the agreements they have reached.

This is Putin's first visit to Venezuela. He arrived at the Simon Bolivar international airport in Veragas state, some 50 kilometers from Caracas, on Friday at 6:20 a.m. local time (1050 GMT).

Putin and Chavez also visited a Naval and Fishing School Vessel of the Russian Navy, which arrived in La Guaria, capital of Vargas state, a few days ago.

The Russian leader also paid homage to Libertador Simon Bolivar at his mausoleum, accompanied by Venezuelan Vice President Elias Jaua, Foreign Minister Nicolas Maduro, Interior Minister Tarek El Aissami and Defense Minister Carlos Mata Figueroa.

He was also named an "honorary citizen of Caracas" by the local authorities and received keys of the city.