Venezuela's exit from the Community of Andean Nations (CAN) would not affect its relationship with the European Union (EU), Venezuelan Deputy Foreign Minister Pavel Rondon said on Friday.

"The Venezuela-EU relationship will be intense and will continue without suffering problems," Rondon said.

Venezuela warned last week that it could withdraw from the CAN if fellow members Colombia, Peru and Ecuador go through with free trade pacts with the United States.

But Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said he was willing to reconsider Venezuela's decision to leave, if Colombia and Peru rethink their treaties with the United States.

The CAN, founded in 1969 as a project to integrate the Andean countries, now groups Venezuela, Colombia, Peru, Ecuador and Bolivia. Chile withdrew from the trade bloc five years after it was formed.

Source: Xinhua