The IAEA Board adopted a resolution on Iran’s nuclear program on September 24. Of the 35 board members, 22 voted in favor of the resolution, 12, including Russia and China, abstained, and Venezuela was the only country which voted against it. The resolution had been drawn up by Britain, France, and Germany and was supported by the United States.
The Venezuelan ambassador said his country’s foreign policy aims to defend the national sovereignty and technological independence of all nations across the world.
He told reporters at a press conference that his country opposes the monopolization of nuclear energy in the hands of a small group of industrialized countries since fossil fuels will be depleted in the future.
Like Iran, Venezuela is also seeking to develop alternative energies and opposes the monopoly of nuclear energy in the hands of certain countries, he explained.
Like many other nations, such as Brazil and Argentina, Iran also has the right to conduct scientific research, including research in the field of nuclear technology, in line with efforts to defend the rights of its people.
He stated that his country would not waver in its defense of Iran’s civilian nuclear program and would remain on Iran’s side until the end.
It is clear that certain countries are making strenuous efforts to maintain a tight grip on nuclear technology so that other nations will be dependent on them for nuclear energy, the Venezuelan ambassador noted.
He also said that President Hugo Chavez has announced that Venezuela, like Brazil and Argentina, wants to develop nuclear energy for civilian purposes.
All countries which have signed the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty have the right to develop nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.
Bilateral relations
The ambassador went on to say that Tehran and Caracas are determined to expand political and economic ties, saying the two states have signed sixty contracts in various areas.
The relationship is already paying off, he added.
A number of Venezuelan public and private sector companies are currently participating in an exhibition in Tehran, he pointed out.
According to a Venezuelan trade official who also attended the press conference, the first joint project between Iran and Venezuela is already manufacturing tractors and plans to produce 5000 tractors annually in the future.
The official also said that construction of a cement factory with the capacity to produce one million tons of cement per year has already begun.
In addition, Iran plans to establish an auto company in Venezuela, he announced.
Iran and Venezuela are two of the founding members of OPEC and the second and third largest oil exporters of the oil cartel.
The U.S. has been at odds with Venezuela since President Hugo Chavez came to power and introduced social and economic programs in favor of the underprivileged classes of society, a move which Washington sees as a hurdle in the way of its efforts to push through its economic plan for Latin America.
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MNA
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