Venezuelan acting president meets EU, Swiss, UK diplomats on advancing ties

CARACAS, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Venezuela's acting president Delcy Rodriguez met on Monday with members of the diplomatic corps from the European Union, Switzerland and the United Kingdom, Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil said.

Describing the talks as "frank," Gil said participants reviewed the state of bilateral relations and agreed on the importance of advancing a productive relationship and seeking deeper dialogue.

Gil said Rodriguez's message was clear, stressing that "within a framework of respect and equality of states, we are willing to advance a new agenda" for the well-being of the peoples.

He said the Venezuelan side also used the occasion to assess the events of Jan. 3, when Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife were forcibly taken into custody by the United States. ■