ORENBURG. Sept 26 (Interfax-AVN) - Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has thanked Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez for the proper organization of recent training flights by Russian Tupolev Tu-160 bombers.
"Joint large-scale naval exercises are due in late November. This shows the broad scale of our relations," the Russian president said at a meeting with Chavez in Orenburg on Friday.
The current talks will focus on the situation in Latin America and Europe, "particularly in light in the Caucasus crisis," Medvedev said.
Medvedev thanked Chavez for the moral support he gave Russia during the August crisis in the Caucasus.
For his part, the Venezuelan president restated his support of Russia's actions during the August events in South Ossetia.
"We know well what caused the conflict, who attacked South Ossetians and how. Once again we express our full and firm support of your actions," Chavez said.
The visit by Tu-160 aircraft of Venezuela was a very useful cooperation experience, he said.
"Russian soldiers, officers, and general left the best impression with our people. We were delighted," the Venezuelan leader said.