A meeting between Venezuelan ambassador Bernardo Álvarez with US Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs Thomas Shannon may be a turning point in bilateral relations, said Pavel Rondón, Venezuelan Foreign Affairs vice-minister for Latin America and the Caribbean and acting Foreign minister.

"Venezuela highly values the fact that after three years the State Department is receiving our ambassador Bernardo Álvarez," Rondón stressed.

He hoped the meeting represents a change in US-Venezuela tense relations.

Regarding the issues both governments are due to address, Rondón claimed that Caracas and Washington are yet to reach a consensus on their diplomatic agenda. However, he informed that Álvarez and Shannon talked about energy, trade, and the fight against terror and drugs.

The official news agency ABN quoted a press release of the Foreign Affairs Ministry as saying that Álvarez addressed the issue of Cuban exile Luisa Posada Carriles, whose extradition from the US Venezuela has already been requested.

"For Venezuela, it is vital to talk about respect for political autonomy and self-determination. We are developing a political model that has to be respected, just like we do respect the political models of other countries," Rondón asserted.