Kenya and Venezuela have pledged to enhance their diplomatic and parliamentary relations with the establishment of the Kenya-Venezuela Parliamentary Friendship Group. This move follows a significant meeting between Speaker of the National Assembly, Moses Wetang’ula, and the Ambassador of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela to Kenya, Moravia Peralta Hernandez, on Thursday.
The formation of the Parliamentary Friendship Group is aimed at promoting parliamentary diplomacy, cultural exchange, and fostering bilateral dialogue between the two countries. During the meeting, Wetang’ula expressed Kenya’s openness to developing meaningful relationships through parliamentary diplomacy, emphasizing that this gesture from Venezuela was a strong sign of solidarity and global cooperation.
The discussions between the two leaders also covered a wide range of shared interests, including trade, tourism, education, and multilateral engagement. Ambassador Peralta highlighted Venezuela’s ongoing socio-economic recovery, particularly its growth in the tourism sector, which saw over two million international visitors last year from countries like Russia, Poland, and Germany. She expressed confidence in the country’s peaceful environment and the recovery of its industries, which have been pivotal in the nation’s progress.
Additionally, the political landscape of Venezuela was discussed, with Ambassador Peralta clarifying the distinction between peaceful political opposition and extremist groups, reiterating the government’s commitment to national stability.
Speaker Wetang’ula, drawing from his extensive experience in international diplomacy, reflected on the long-term nature of global cooperation, noting that diplomacy is a lifelong service to humanity. He reaffirmed Kenya’s dedication to building friendships with nations that share its vision of justice and prosperity.
Both leaders also acknowledged the importance of international platforms like the United Nations and the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) as valuable spaces for global dialogue and advocacy. Wetang’ula concluded the meeting by expressing Kenya’s continued support for Venezuela’s global initiatives, particularly in South-South cooperation and advocacy for the rights of Palestinian people.
In a separate event, Wetang’ula bid farewell to Mahi Boumediene, the outgoing Ambassador of Algeria, thanking him for his efforts in strengthening Kenya-Algeria relations.
