Borisov, Venezuelan VP discuss Venezuelan cosmonaut training in Russia

STAR CITY, Moscow region. Oct 12 (Interfax) - Roscosmos chief Yury Borisov has met with Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez at the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center (GCTC) to discuss training a Venezuelan citizen and launching them into orbit.

"We discussed training and launching a Venezuelan cosmonaut. Very few countries in the world join a club that allows them to say they conduct work in the field of human spaceflight. Venezuela has expressed its wish to join that club," Borisov told reporters.

The discussion also focused on using remote-sensing data and communications, he said.

"[The relationship] between our countries is not a mere partnership, but friendly and fraternal relations. We've always found a solution for any situation. As for our cooperation on space, Venezuela should be given its due as a developing nation that is actively interested in and realizes everything associated with space services," Borisov said.

The Venezuelan vice president visited the GCTC in Star City, where her delegation was met by Borisov, Roscosmos Executive Director for Manned Missions Sergei Krikalev, Executive Director for Future Programs and Science Alexander Bloshenko, and GCTC Director Maxim Kharlamov.

The delegation was shown simulators of the Russian segment of the International Space Station, a Soyuz MS transport spacecraft, a hydro lab for practicing spacewalks, and a centrifuge. Rodriguez got inside the Soyuz simulator.

"Here is the first Venezuelan candidate for space flight," Borisov said as a joke.

The delegation was left feeling very impressed from its visit, Rodriguez said.