Caracas, January 18 (RHC)-– Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro says he plans to pay an official visit to Iran in the near future to strengthen mutual relations and discuss avenues for further improving cooperation.

In a meeting with visiting Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for European and American Affairs Majid Takht-e-Ravanchi in Caracas, Maduro reiterated Venezuela’s support for the Islamic Republic amd extolled the achievements of Tehran-Caracas cooperation in industrial, housing, scientific and technological fields

For his part, Takht-e-Ravanchi, who is on a tour of Latin America, said Iran attaches significance to relations with Venezuela and expressed Tehran’s determination to bolster bilateral cooperation.

The two men agreed that the Iran-Venezuela joint commission would convene soon to open up new business opportunities for Iranian firms.

Takht-e-Ravanchi arrived in the Venezuelan capital on Friday to hold talks with the country’s senior officials after he wrapped up his two-day visit to Cuba.

He is scheduled to depart for Bolivia after concluding his visit to Venezuela.