Belarus and Venezuela share " absolutely identical" views on international affairs, which "is a reliable basis for close cooperation and mutual support in the international arena," Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko said in Minsk on Friday.

"Relations between the two countries are developing dynamically and fruitfully," having "reached the level of strategic partnership, and regular contacts between you and me are evidence of this," Lukashenko was quoted by the Interfax news agency as saying at talks in Minsk with visiting Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.

Lukashenko described Chavez's decision to visit Belarus as part of a tour also including Russia and Iran "as evidence of deep interest in building up cooperation between our countries and a demonstration of feelings of friendship and warmth towards the Belarussian people."

Chavez arrived in Minsk late Friday from Moscow. His third stop will be Iran.

Source: Xinhua