Venezuela to Move PDVSA Office to Moscow From Lisbon - Vice President

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez hold a joint press conference in Moscow as part of her official visit.

Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez, speaking at a press conference, said that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has decided to close PDVSA's office in Lisbon and move it to Moscow.

"I would like to state that President Nicolas Maduro ordered the PDVSA in Lisbon to close this office and move the office to Moscow," the vice president said at a press conference following talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Moscow.

Delcy Rodriguez explained the decision to transfer the PDVSA state oil company's office from Lisbon to Moscow by saying that Europe does not provide the necessary guarantees for asset protection.

On US Plans to Form Illegal Armed Units to Destabilize Venezuela

Delcy Rodriguez added that the US plans to form illegal armed units to destabilise the situation in Venezuela.

"As far as operation against Venezuela is concerned, it's headed by a person experienced in such kind of sabotage, person who repeatedly spoke against legal governments, Mr. Abrams. There are certain plans, certain steps aimed at creation of illegal armed groups according to the US tradition, creation of terror groups. The whole world knows it's doing that, it's not a secret. The US supports such extremist illegal terror groups to destabilize the world," Rodriguez said.

Caracas speaks for a dialogue with the opposition and supports the Montevideo mechanism on the crisis settlement, Rodriguez added.

Speaking at the press conference, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov warned of US plans to buy mortars and light weapons in Eastern Europe, and send them to countries bordering with Venezuela.

"We are concerned about the US plans to arm militants to destabilize the situation in Venezuela and, strictly speaking, to invade this sovereign country, as the US does not hesitate to speak openly about them," Lavrov said at talks with Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez.

On Cooperation With Russia

Venezuela is preparing to sing new agreements with Russia in order to expand cooperation between the two countries, Delcy Rodriguez said.

"On December 5 last year, [Venezuelan] President Nicolas Maduro held an official visit to Russia, and new agreements were signed. Now we are preparing to expand our cooperation, [to sign] new agreements and to implement the existing 264 deals," Rodriguez said at a press conference, held after her talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Moscow.


She specified that new agreements would be signed at the meeting of the Russian-Venezuelan intergovernmental commission, slated for April.

"We will continue strengthening our relations with Russia. We will expand our trade opportunities and launch new mechanisms. President Nicolas Maduro has given clear instructions. We will purchase products and medicines that our people need from Russia," Rodriguez added.

She also said that Venezuela expected to launch domestic production "of all the necessary things" with the help of Russia.

On 23 February, the Venezuelan opposition tried to forcefully bring the US-sponsored aid into Venezuela from Brazil and Colombia. The failed attempt resulted in clashes between the Venezuelan National Guard officers and pro-aid protesters, who tried to help force the aid into Venezuela.