Venezuela, Syria boost ties with accords

Venezuela and Syria cemented their ties on Monday as they signed five trade, agriculture and energy cooperation agreements, the Venezuelan Foreign Ministry said.

Among the agreements signed by Foreign Minister Nicolas Maduro and his Syrian counterpart, Walid Muallem, in Damascus was a deal to build a refinery that can treat 140,000 barrels of oil per day.

Maduro and Muallem also signed a letter of intent for cooperation in cotton and olive oil harvesting, production and research, the chief Venezuelan diplomat said.

In another accord, Telesur, the 24-hour television network created by Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez to counter the
hegemony of the international broadcasters like CNN, plans to broadcast its shows in Syria.