Caracas, July 27 (RHC)-- Venezuelan authorities received the head of the National Council of Palestine, Rawhi Fattouh, with the aim of strengthening bilateral, diplomatic and trade relations between the two nations.

State media reported that Fattouh held working meetings with Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez, Foreign Minister Yvan Gil, and National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez.  "It is a pleasure to receive the president of the Palestinian National Council, Rawhi Fattouh, on his official visit to our country to continue strengthening the ties of friendship and cooperation between our peoples," Foreign Minister Gil wrote on his official Twitter account.

"Venezuela will always raise its voice for the liberation of Palestine!" said the head of Venezuelan diplomacy.

The Palestinian representative also held an interview last Monday with the first vice president of the ruling United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV), Diosdado Cabello.

On April 27, 2009, the government of then President Hugo Chávez Frías recognized the State of Palestine and established diplomatic relations, thus Venezuela was the first country in the American continent to recognize the sovereignty of this Arab people.

Venezuela and Palestine maintain a series of bilateral agreements in the areas of health, telecommunications, education and culture.