Venezuela can be a hub for redistribution of Iranian goods: MP
By Sadeq Dehqan
Staff writer
Noting that Venezuela has become Iran’s top commercial partner in Latin America, an Iranian lawmaker envisioned Venezuela as a potential hub for the redistribution of Iranian goods to other countries of the continent.
Ahad Azadikhah made the remarks in an exclusive interview with Iran Daily shortly after Iranian President Ebrahim Raeisi landed in Caracas on Monday, on the first stop of his Latin American tour.
Referring to the frequent reciprocal visits of the top officials of the countries, Azadikhah welcomed the expansion of political bilateral ties as it has provided the opportunity to develop economic cooperation.
“Tehran and Caracas have always had amicable relations,” he said, adding that the past one or two years have seen a further strengthening of ties.
Describing the current state of Iran-Venezuela ties as “the best it has ever been,” he stressed that Caracas is Tehran’s most attractive option for economic partnership among Latin American countries.
Venezuela and Iran, major oil producers hit by illegal U.S. sanctions, signed a 20-year cooperation agreement in Tehran a year ago on June 11, 2022. However, the Iranian Member of Parliament gives little weight to the impact of sanctions on bilateral ties in light of Caracas and Tehran’s current level of cooperation.
“Considering that Iran and Venezuela share the same DNA when it comes to oil, areas where the two can cooperate abound,” he stated, citing the sale of crude oil and the overhaul of refineries as examples.
As a member of the Iran-Venezuela Parliamentary Friendship Group, Azadikhah vowed that the Iranian Parliament would do everything in its power to utilize these potentials and cement ties between the two countries.
He also pointed out that the Iranian Oil Ministry has similarly expressed its interest in making new deals with Caracas.
“Fortunately, the Bolivarian Government of Venezuela was eager to increase its economic transactions with Iran, giving us the incentive to continue working there ever harder.”
Bringing attention to the fact that Megasis, the first Iranian supermarket in Venezuela, has been operating for years, Azadikhah claimed that the supermarket can be a stepping stone for redistributing Iranian goods to Latin American countries.