clipped from: news.bbc.co.uk 
Russia and Venezuela have signed an agreement to promote the development of nuclear energy for civilian use.
The agreement was signed during a visit by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev to Venezuela's capital, Caracas, on the latest leg of his Latin American tour.
Under the accord, Russia would help Venezuela build a nuclear energy plant. Joint gas projects were also approved.
Military co-operation is also high on the agenda of Mr Medvedev's talks with Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.
Russian and Venezuelan warships are scheduled to hold joint military exercises later this week.
The Russian vessels, including the flagship missile cruiser Peter the Great and two support vessels, appeared off La Guaira, near Caracas, early on Tuesday.
The destroyer Admiral Chabanenko docked while Venezuelan forces fired a 21-gun salute.
Russia is already a major arms supplier to Venezuela, with contracts worth some $4.4bn (£2.39bn).