Venezuelan FM in Russia to prepare for Russian president's visit

Venezuelan Foreign Minister Nicolas Maduro arrived in Russia Monday for a two-day visit to prepare for the first visit of Russian President Dmitry Medvedev to Venezuela in November, local media reported. Medvedev's visit could coincide with the joint naval exercises that Russia and Venezuela will hold between Nov. 10 and Nov. 14 in the Caribbean Sea. Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez visited Russia on Sept. 25 and26 when he met with Medvedev and Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin. Venezuelan and Russia signed a number of understanding agreements, including one between Venezuelan state-owned oil company PDVSA and Russian Gazprom oil company to develop a gas project. Russia has also shown its interest in cooperating with Venezuela on development of nuclear energy. Maduro arrived in Russia after wrapping up a visit to Iran, where he had a meeting with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Sunday.