Venezuela's President Hugo Chávez is starting in Moscow on Thursday an international tour that will take him to Iran, Belarus, Ukraine, Syria, Libya, Algeria and Portugal, in order to strengthen his political and economic relations with these countries.

"It is an extremely important trip that will allow us to deepen our relations in a multipolar world," said the Venezuelan president.

Chávez, who is an advocate of a new world order and has worked to counteract the traditional influence of the United States over Latin America, has established for years a web of relations with countries such as Iran, Russia, Syria or Libya, based on political affinity. Later, he has signed important cooperation agreements.

One of the best examples is Russia, where President Chávez will start his tour.

The establishment of a Russian-Venezuelan bank, which was proposed in 2008, will be one of the main items in the agenda between Chávez and his Russian counterpart Dmitry Medvedev. The bank will fund joint projects from 2010, according to the Venezuela's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Chávez and Medvedev will also set up a project to build 7,000 housing units in Venezuela, AFP reported.

The Russian government is also willing to help Venezuela to develop nuclear energy projects for peaceful purposes.

Source:ElUniversal.com