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Uribe and Chavez hail 'new era' Uribe and Chavez hail 'new era'
(10 minutes later)
President Hugo Chavez of Venezuela and his Colombian counterpart Alvaro Uribe say they want to promote closer ties, after months of political tension.President Hugo Chavez of Venezuela and his Colombian counterpart Alvaro Uribe say they want to promote closer ties, after months of political tension.
Speaking after a one-day meeting in Venezuela, Mr Chavez said that a new era of co-operation was dawning.Speaking after a one-day meeting in Venezuela, Mr Chavez said that a new era of co-operation was dawning.
For his part, Mr Uribe said the two countries could resolve their disputes.For his part, Mr Uribe said the two countries could resolve their disputes.
Relations hit their lowest point in March, when Mr Chavez sent troops to the border following a Colombian raid against a rebel camp inside Ecuador.Relations hit their lowest point in March, when Mr Chavez sent troops to the border following a Colombian raid against a rebel camp inside Ecuador.
Analysts say improving links will be of political and economic benefit to both.Analysts say improving links will be of political and economic benefit to both.
Although the two countries are major trading partners, relations have suffered because their two leaders come from opposite ends of the political spectrum.Although the two countries are major trading partners, relations have suffered because their two leaders come from opposite ends of the political spectrum.
Chavez presented Uribe with a portrait of Latin American hero Simon Bolivar
Mr Uribe is a right-winger who is a close ally of the United States, while socialist Mr Chavez regularly denounces Washington and has allied himself with Cuba.Mr Uribe is a right-winger who is a close ally of the United States, while socialist Mr Chavez regularly denounces Washington and has allied himself with Cuba.
The two men also differed sharply over Colombia's Farc rebel group, with Mr Uribe seeking military action against it, while Mr Chavez gave them some ideological support.The two men also differed sharply over Colombia's Farc rebel group, with Mr Uribe seeking military action against it, while Mr Chavez gave them some ideological support.
But the freeing of 15 high-profile Farc hostages - including former presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt - by the Colombian army last week has strengthened Mr Uribe's position, correspondents say.But the freeing of 15 high-profile Farc hostages - including former presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt - by the Colombian army last week has strengthened Mr Uribe's position, correspondents say.
'Turn the page''Turn the page'
Before meeting Mr Uribe in the northern Venezuelan town of Punto Fijo, Hugo Chavez said he would treat his Colombian counterpart as a "brother".Before meeting Mr Uribe in the northern Venezuelan town of Punto Fijo, Hugo Chavez said he would treat his Colombian counterpart as a "brother".
We said some harsh things, [but] between brothers these things happen Venezuelan President Hugo ChavezWe said some harsh things, [but] between brothers these things happen Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez
After their talks, Mr Chavez said: "As of now, a new era begins with Colombia."After their talks, Mr Chavez said: "As of now, a new era begins with Colombia."
"We can completely turn the page on a stormy past.""We can completely turn the page on a stormy past."
At the height of their dispute earlier this year, Bogota accused President Chavez of funding the Farc - the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia.At the height of their dispute earlier this year, Bogota accused President Chavez of funding the Farc - the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia.
Mr Chavez denies the claims, saying any contact was related to negotiations to secure the release of hostages it was holding.Mr Chavez denies the claims, saying any contact was related to negotiations to secure the release of hostages it was holding.
InterdependentInterdependent
President Chavez has distanced himself from the Farc in recent weeks, calling on them to end their campaign of violence. President Chavez has distanced himself from the Farc in recent weeks, calling on them to end their campaign of violence. Ingrid Betancourt's rescue has strengthened Uribe's position
The BBC's Jeremy McDermott in Colombia says that despite the political differences between their leaders, the two neighbours need to get on for their mutual political and economic health.The BBC's Jeremy McDermott in Colombia says that despite the political differences between their leaders, the two neighbours need to get on for their mutual political and economic health.
Mr Chavez's open support for the Farc was not popular in Venezuela and he wants his supporters to do well in November's elections for the National Assembly, our correspondent says.Mr Chavez's open support for the Farc was not popular in Venezuela and he wants his supporters to do well in November's elections for the National Assembly, our correspondent says.
Mr Uribe is still basking in international praise since the Colombian army freed Ms Betancourt and 14 other prominent hostages from the guerrillas this month, he adds.Mr Uribe is still basking in international praise since the Colombian army freed Ms Betancourt and 14 other prominent hostages from the guerrillas this month, he adds.
The two presidents are expected to sign a number of accords on trade, taxes and border co-operation.The two presidents are expected to sign a number of accords on trade, taxes and border co-operation.
Colombia is Venezuela's second-largest trading partner after the United States, and enjoys a trade surplus with its neighbour.Colombia is Venezuela's second-largest trading partner after the United States, and enjoys a trade surplus with its neighbour.