The meeting comes shortly after President Chavez announced that he was putting relations with Spain on hold. 

• The Ambassador has told reporters that the future of relations between Spain and Venezuela will continue to be marked by links that have always united the two countries, such as tradition and a common language. 

"Spain and Venezuela have a common future that goes beyond any ups and downs." 

Trinidad Jimenez has confirmed that there has been no change in bilateral relations on the political, economic or even social levels. 

"On hearing President Chavez' declarations I got in contact with the Ambassador for talks to ask him if the declarations in any way altered bilateral relations that up to now have been normal." 

Jimenez says the President's words were uttered within the framework of a wider context because he mentioned Spain in passing when he was speaking about relations with Colombia. 

President Chavez says he is putting relations with Spain on ice until the King of Spain apologized for his conduct at the Iberian American summit in Chile.

Patrick J. O'Donoghue
patrick@vheadline.com

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