Venezuela's government has asked Argentina about the possibility of providing technical expertise to help develop nuclear energy in Venezuela for peac
By JERUSALEM POST STAFFVenezuela's government has asked Argentina about the possibility of providing technical expertise to help develop nuclear energy in Venezuela for peaceful purposes, officials said Monday.
Cabinet Chief Alberto Fernandez, responding to a report a day earlier in the prominent daily Clarin, said a delegation from the Venezuelan state oil firm Petroleos de Venezuela S.A. had inquired about the possibility.
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez recently said his government is beginning research into peaceful uses of nuclear power, and is looking to countries such as Iran and Brazil as examples.
Fernandez did not say when or with whom the Venezuelan energy officials met. The two countries have signed a series of energy accords that mark close ties between Chavez and left-leaning Argentine President Nestor Kirchner.
Argentina's foreign minister, Rafael Bielsa, also confirmed Venezuelan interest in Argentine nuclear power know-how. He noted that Argentine has helped other countries including Australia and Egypt with reactor projects for peaceful uses.