Moscow:Russia's Prime Minister Vladimir Putin Thursday told Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez that Moscow was willing to share civilian nuclear technology with Caracas, Spain's EFE reported.

"We're ready to study the joint use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes," Putin said during a meeting with Chavez at the prime minister's residence in Novo-Ogariovo near Moscow.

Putin said Russia was also "ready to ... continue cooperation (with Venezuela) in the military technology sphere", including arms sales, according to the report.

Chavez, who arrived in Russia from China Thursday for a brief official visit, discussed various bilateral and international issues with Putin, officials said.

The Venezuelan leader will travel to Orenburg city Friday, in southern Ural Mountains, where he will meet with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev.

Venezuelan officials told EFE that Chavez and Medvedev would sign two energy pacts.

Chavez in recent months has expressed his desire to forge a "strategic alliance" with Russia in all areas, including trade.

Kremlin officials said earlier Thursday that Russia would grant Venezuela a $1 billion loan for purchase of military hardware from Moscow.

Venezuela signed 12 contracts to buy Russian weapons valued at more than $4.4 billion in 2005-2007.

Chavez, whose country is the largest client for Russian arms in Latin America, recently said that Caracas also wants to buy Russian submarines.

 

Source : IANS