MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Bill Rammell visits Venezuela and Peru

Bill Rammell, Foreign Office Minister for Latin America, is visiting Venezuela and Peru from Sunday to December 15.

Speaking ahead of his trip, Mr Rammell said:

'The UK and Venezuela enjoy a good relationship, with many shared interests such as energy, human rights and counter-narcotics.

'My visit provides an opportunity to discuss how the UK can best support Venezuela, as one of the world's major energy suppliers, to exploit its reserves as effectively as possible whilst working towards socio-economic development.

'I will also be discussing environmental issues ? including Venezuela's welcome intention to ratify Kyoto.

'My visit to Peru is also a first. British companies have long invested in Peru, and the UK attaches great importance to helping Peru enhance its economic growth within the region.

'I will be using my visit to underline the significance of Peruvian commitment to the G8 initiative on transparency and corruption, and discussing ways in which Peru can move further towards remedying the ills inflicted by the internal conflict during the 80s and 90s. I will be keen to discuss how the UK can further cooperate with Peru to stamp down on the trafficking of narcotics from Colombia, much of which ends up as cocaine on UK streets.'