Caracas, November 23 (teleSUR-RHC)-- Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro meets with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin Monday in Tehran, Iran to discuss the stabilization of the price of oil, a critical export and important source of revenue for both countries. 

President Maduro confirmed the meeting Sunday during a ceremony celebrating the construction of public housing in the eastern Venezuelan state of Zulia. 

"There will be no imperial handling from Washington that will continue harming producing and exporting countries that want stability and a fair price," said Maduro

President Maduro has alleged that the dramatic drop in the price of oil forms part of an “economic war” against his country and others, such as Russia, that have challenged the power and influence of the United States.
    
Countries in Latin America that depend on revenue from hydrocarbons, such as Venezuela, Ecuador, and Bolivia, have been forced to adjust their national budgets in light on the decrease in revenue. Nonetheless, these three countries have pledged to maintain social programs and investment.
       
​Maduro and Putin are in Iran as part of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum Summit being held Monday.  The summit, which gathers the heads of state and government of member countries, is aimed at discussing energy and gas policies.

Bolivian President Evo Morales also indicated he would hold a bilateral meeting with Putin while in Iran to Russia's support for Bolivia's nuclear development plan.

The Gas Exporting Countries Forum is comprised of: Algeria, Bolivia, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Iran, Libya, Nigeria, Qatar, Russia, Trinidad and Tobago, United Arab Emirates, and Venezuela. 

Kazakhstan, Iraq, the Netherlands, Norway, Oman and Peru are observer members.