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LequteMan
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The Charge D’ Affairs of Venezuela Embassy in Nigeria, Mr Miguelangel Vecchia, on Tuesday, while speaking with newsmen said Nigeria and Venezuela have started implementing an agreement that allows visa-free travel for officials and diplomatic passport holders.
He said the agreement was made official in the Venezuelan official Gazette number 40, 215 published on July 26, 2013.
He recalled that the agreement was initially signed on Nov. 24, 2012 by the then Nigeria’s Minister of State 1, Prof. Viola Onwuliri and Venezuelan Deputy Minister for Africa, Mr Reinaldo Bolivar.
The envoy said the agreement would deepen the diplomatic and bilateral relations between the two oil producing and exporting countries.
The Charge D’ Affairs said the embassy in Abuja had simplified visa application requirements for ordinary passport holders.
However, he added, the requirements for students and business visa were simple ``but it is not free.’’
Vecchia said the Venezuelan government had signed 33 multilateral agreements with Nigeria since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two in 1965.
He commended the commitment and foresight of former President Hugo Chavez of Venezuela for prioritising economic ties with Africa.
He said ``Chavez cared deeply for Africans, before Chavez, Africa was nothing to the Venezuelans in the external policy of our country; Africa was like an unknown territory.
``Before Chavez, there was only about eight diplomatic missions in Africa, now we have 18 embassies and they oversee 37 countries.’’
According to the envoy, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, had continued with the legacies and visions of Chavez to Africa.
He said the agreement was made official in the Venezuelan official Gazette number 40, 215 published on July 26, 2013.
He recalled that the agreement was initially signed on Nov. 24, 2012 by the then Nigeria’s Minister of State 1, Prof. Viola Onwuliri and Venezuelan Deputy Minister for Africa, Mr Reinaldo Bolivar.
The envoy said the agreement would deepen the diplomatic and bilateral relations between the two oil producing and exporting countries.
The Charge D’ Affairs said the embassy in Abuja had simplified visa application requirements for ordinary passport holders.
However, he added, the requirements for students and business visa were simple ``but it is not free.’’
Vecchia said the Venezuelan government had signed 33 multilateral agreements with Nigeria since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two in 1965.
He commended the commitment and foresight of former President Hugo Chavez of Venezuela for prioritising economic ties with Africa.
He said ``Chavez cared deeply for Africans, before Chavez, Africa was nothing to the Venezuelans in the external policy of our country; Africa was like an unknown territory.
``Before Chavez, there was only about eight diplomatic missions in Africa, now we have 18 embassies and they oversee 37 countries.’’
According to the envoy, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, had continued with the legacies and visions of Chavez to Africa.
