World Affairs
Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez said on Friday that he is willing to "take care" of his relation with Spain and his "friends" King Juan Carlos and Prime Minister, José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, to enhance the ties between the two countries "on equal grounds."

Speaking to reporters, Chávez sent his message upon leaving the Madrid hotel where he is staying, as he was departing for the Moncloa Palace, the official residence of the President of the government of Spain, to meet with Rodríguez Zapatero, Efe reported.

The meeting with the Spanish Prime Minister was held before the encounter with King Juan Carlos at the Zarzuela Palace. Chávez is paying a short visit to Madrid that wraps up his tour of the Middle East, North Africa and Europe.

"It is a working and affection stopover. We stopped here for a gathering of friends. We are friends of Prime Minister Zapatero and King Juan Carlos. We want to talk about politics and economy," Chávez said.

According to the Venezuelan president, the political, economic and social relation between Spain and Venezuela is "very important" and must be undertaken "on a basis of equality, affection and without paying attention to the bearers of lies that exist everywhere."

He added that the agreements of Spanish companies doing business in Venezuela amount to USD 11.66 billion.

"It is a pretty large figure. We have to take care of it. Spain is a very important country for us and we have great friends here," Chávez said. The Venezuelan leader stressed that he is not concerned about what he called "the furious media opposition" in Spain against his Bolivarian ideology.

Translated by Gerardo Cárdenas