Venezuela is willing to boost bilateral cooperation and multi-dimensional partnership with Spain on equal footing, visiting Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said here on Friday.
During his stay in Spain, the last leg of his nine-nation tour, Chavez met with King Juan Carlos and Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero.
The Venezuelan president arrived in Madrid from Moscow. He also visited Italy, Belarus, Turkmenistan, Libya, Algeria, Syria and Iran.
"It is a stop not only for a work but also for friendship," Chavez said.
He emphasized that the political, economic and social ties between the two countries are very important and "must be set under equal conditions."
"Spain is a very important country for us," he added, citing 8-billion -euro (11.2 billion U.S. dollars) contracts Venezuela signed with Spanish companies.
(Xinhua News Agency September 12, 2009)
