Russian Vice Prime Minister Igor Sechin’s visit to Venezuela will focus mainly in energy cooperation, Vice President Ramon Carrizales said on Monday.

He said the main emphasis would be on how to enhance cooperation in the energy and oil sectors where considerable progress has already been achieved.

Carrizales said the Russian delegation led by Sechin had flown out to visit the Orinoco oil belt.

The two countries will also expand cooperation in the fields of science, technology, environmental protection, and culture, and are working intensively to achieve results, the official told.

All these issues will be discuss at the talks with Sechin and as part of preparations for the next meeting of the high-level inter-governmental commission to be held in St. Petersburg in August.

Carrizales said new agreements would be signed in St. Petersburg in such fields as science, education, trade, economy, and industry.

Sechin said his visit to Venezuela would focus on further development of cooperation. He will also meet with Energy and Petroleum Minister Rafael Ramirez to discuss cooperation in the oil and gas sector.

Preparations for Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez’s visit to Russia will be one of the priorities at the talks, the Russian vice-prime minister said.