Molina (second left) being briefed on operation of Bernama Radio. — Bernama photo
KUALA LUMPUR: Venezuela seeks opportunities to expand ties with the new Malaysian government and hopes to see cooperation in energy and the oil and gas (O&G) sectors in the near future.
Its vice-minister of Foreign Affairs for Asia, The Middle East and Oceania, Ruben Dario Molina said the new political landscape after Pakatan Harapan won the 14th General Election in May, would enable the possibilities of exportation from Venezuela, especially in the O&G segment.
“We would want to deepen our relationship as we do have the respect for this country, what more with the newly-installed administration.
“On this particular field, we foresee possibilities that both countries can work together and encourage more businesses coming in from Malaysia.
“We do also have the high interest on Asean in this development as Malaysia is a key member state of the region.”
He was speaking to Bernama following a visit to the Malaysian National News Agency’s headquarters in Wisma Bernama here.
Earlier, the vice-minister, accompanied by Venezuelan Ambassador to Malaysia, Manuel Guzman was briefed by Bernama deputy Editor-in-Chief (International News Service) Ahmad Zukiman Mohd Zain.
Also present was executive editor (International News Service) Ahmad Fuad Yahya.
Molina also visited the Bernama News Channel (BNC), Bernama Radio and the Editorial Department.
Molina, who arrived here yesterday met senior officials of the Malaysian Foreign Ministry and visited the Centre for Latin American Studies, University Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) in Bangi.
He also noted the country’s mineral industry was considered as one of the top industries in Venezuela, another area that Malaysian businessmen could penetrate into and venture in.
He said in the context of foreign relations, Venezuela and Malaysia shared similar policy, among others non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries and respect for international rules and laws.
“We are for diplomacy of peace and development,” he added.
He said South-South cooperation where Malaysia was the pioneer, was important to protect the interests of developing and less developed countries.
On a separate development, Venezuela, which currently holds the chairmanship of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) wants to explore more cooperation involving the Venezuela-based media outlets, the news channel TeleSUR and the international radio network named The Radio of the South and Bernama.
Molina said he would discuss with the Telesur president on possible cooperation with Bernama.
He said the partnership was indeed, important to support the NAM News Network’s (NNN) role in creating awareness on Latin America and Caribbean countries.
“Also, we want Asians to know us better. Thus, we look forward to further expand the cooperation for this purpose,” he said, speaking through a translator.
Malaysia has proposed the setting up of NNN to replace the Non-Aligned News Agencies Pool (Nanap) which had been inactive for many years due to declining support from members.
Besides the news content on its portal at www.namnewsnetwork.org, the NNN, handled by Bernama also supplies news on visual.
The Malaysian-initiated NNN is an internet-based news exchange aimed at presenting accurate news on NAM and a means to counter the often biased news as portrayed by the western media.
Malaysia became a NAM Member State in 1970 and was former NAM Chair from 2003 to 2006. — Bernama