REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, CARACAS -- Venezuela affirmed Tuesday its support for Palestinian statehood during an official visit by Palestine's Foreign Affairs Minister Riyad al-Maliki.

At a joint press conference, al-Maliki's Venezuelan counterpart, Delcy Rodriguez, said in both countries, the struggle for independence is characterized in the fight against imperialist powers.

Venezuela also condemned the criminal actions against Palestine, saying they are in violation of international law, the Venezuelan News Agency (AVN) cited Rodriguez as saying.

"The entire world can't remain silent in the face of the Palestinian cause. It must rise to support the independence and sovereignty of the Palestinian state," said Rodriguez.

Last week, the Vatican joined the growing international community that favors Palestinian statehood, announcing that it would soon sign a treaty recognizing the state of Palestine.

Al-Maliki, the envoy for Palestinian National Authority, was in Caracas to attend the first ever Conference of Palestinian Ambassadors in the Americas. He thanked Venezuela for its support.

"Venezuela is Palestine's most important ally," said al-Maliki. "It's the country that supports Palestine everywhere, in every way. It's the country that gives without asking anything in return, that from the beginning has committed itself to the struggle of the Palestinian people."

Al-Maliki noted that Venezuela became in January a non- permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, and will assume the presidency of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) in September.

"These are important achievements for Venezuela and Palestine, because we know that with (Venezuela's) presidency of the Non- Aligned Movement as well as Security Council seat, Palestine will be in good hands," said the ambassador, adding the South American country "champions justice and our cause."

Ties with Caracas are being bolstered through a ministerial committee in charge of developing bilateral cooperation in academic, economic, energy, cultural and agricultural fields.

Al-Maliki, who arrived Monday in Caracas, offered to help mediate in an ongoing political spat between Spain and Venezuela, which was sparked by Madrid's outspoken backing of the country's right-wing opposition leaders.

Former Spanish prime minister Felipe Gonzalez has said he intended to travel to Caracas to show support for jailed opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez when his trial begins on charges of inciting violence and plotting to overthrow the government.

In response, Rodriguez said Tuesday that "if we have to defend the country again (against the Spanish), like we did more than 200 years ago, here we are."

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