Japan, Venezuela agree to boost energy cooperation+

TOKYO, April 6 Kyodo - Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso and Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez agreed Monday in Tokyo to further boost bilateral cooperation on energy, Japanese Foreign Ministry officials said.

To specifically promote the cooperation, the two leaders agreed to set up a
working team to explore the possibility of the development of oil at
Venezuela's Orinoco oil belt and liquefied natural gas, as well as funding for
the operations, the officials said.
Aso expressed hope that the Venezuelan president would make efforts to help
Japanese firms work smoothly in Venezuela, which possesses some of the world's
largest reserves of oil and natural gas, they said.
The Japanese leader also proposed that Venezuela hold dialogue between the
public and private sectors to improve the business environment between the two
nations, and Chavez concurred and said he will make efforts to resolve any
problems Japanese firms may face in his country, the officials said.
Noting that the two nations marked the 70th anniversary last year of the
establishment of diplomatic relations, Aso told Chavez that his visit to Japan
was timely as the momentum for strengthening the bilateral relationship has
gathered steam.
In March, Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Toshihiro Nikai and Venezuela's
energy minister Rafael Ramirez signed a memorandum to deepen their cooperation
in the area of energy development.
Chavez is known for his anti-American stance. His visit to Japan was his second
following one in 1999, the year he took office, according to Japan's Foreign
Ministry.
==Kyodo