Santa Marta, October 3 (RHC)-- Venezuela and Colombia held new talks Friday over Caracas' decision to close their shared border.

The meeting was attended by Venezuelan defense minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez and his Colombian counterpart Luis Carlos Villegas in the Colombian city of Santa Marta.

During the talks, the ministers discussed a wide range of subjects and agreed to improve inter-governmental communications in efforts to address border security concerns.

Venezuelan and Colombian authorities also agreed to carry out several bilateral security initiatives, such as the launch of joint military cooperation exercises.

According to a bilateral government declaration, follow up discussions will be held next Monday in the Venezuelan city of Maracaibo.