Defense Minister Attends Maduro’s Inauguration

Defense Minister Amir Hatami attended the inauguration ceremony of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, which was held outside the Supreme Court building in Caracas on Thursday. 
On the sidelines of the event, Hatami and his accompanying delegation also met with Bolivian President Evo Morales and discussed international and regional developments as well as bilateral ties, ISNA reported. 
He described the two countries’ relations as “friendly” and in line with the interests of all “independent nations”.
Hatami also expressed Iran’s willingness to contribute to Bolivia’s development, especially through the transfer of technology. 
Morales commended Iran’s efforts to ensure peace and security at the international level, particularly its campaign against terrorism in West Asia. 
He called for closer cooperation between the two states, asserting that “Bolivia will stand by the Islamic Republic of Iran.”