 JCP establishes relations with Venezuelan government The Japanese Communist Party and the Venezuelan government agreed to establish relations in talks on February 24 between JCP International Bureau Director Ogata Yasuo (House of Councilors member) and Venezuelan Vice Foreign Minister William E. Izarra. Ogata was visiting Venezuela to attend in the 4th Summit on Social Debt. In the talks, JCP Ogata explained that the JCP is paying attention to the developments associatedwith Venezuela's Chavez government, which was established as the result of the 1998 presidential election and has been strengthened through popular votes, as well as following related political developments in Latin America. Stressing the need to increase solidarity with peoples of the world, especially progressive forces, Izarra stated that the Venezuela government regards it essential to strengthen relations with Asia, in particular with Japan. Ogata explained the 8-point foreign policy set out in the JCP Program as part of the effort to build a new Japan. Izarra stated that these principles are in accord with what the Venezuelan revolutionary process aims for. (end) |