In his congratulatory message the President of Russia noted the need for further expanding Russian-Venezuelan relations. Among the priority areas for concerted efforts are the development of full-scale cooperation in the energy sector as well as the banking sector.
Mr Medvedev stressed the importance of the regular meeting of the high-level Russian-Venezuelan Intergovernmental Commission in mid-August 2009, designed to give additional impetus to the expansion of mutually beneficial relations, particularly in the trade and economic areas.
Russian Deputy Prime Minister Igor Sechin, who is currently visiting Venezuela, conveyed the message.