Caracas, June 9 (RHC)-- Russian President Vladimir Putin has deepened his country's strategic alliance with Venezuela at a bilateral summit between officials from both nations in Caracas.

In his first official visit to Caracas since his inauguration in May, the Russian president said he sends his best wishes for a speedy recovery to his Venezuelan counterpart, Hugo Chavez, who is recuperating from surgery to remove a malignant tumor.

Following the first session of the meeting between Venezuelan and Russian officials, Venezuelan Foreign Minister Nicolas Maduro told reporters: "We are strategic partners in building new relations and especially strategic partnerships in building 'a world of perpetual and stable peace,' in the words of Simon Bolivar."

According to sources in Caracas, the meeting in the Venezuelan capital will review all projects involving joint ventures in the Orinoco Oil Belt, gas projects, and the performance of the Russian-Venezuelan bank that is headquartered in Moscow.

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