CARACAS, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) -- Venezuela's deputy foreign minister for Europe and North America Oliver Blanco on Tuesday welcomed Britain's decision to upgrade its diplomatic relations with Venezuela.
"Venezuela values the decision of the United Kingdom (UK) to elevate the level of its diplomatic relations with our country," Blanco wrote on X.
His remarks came in response to Colin Dick, head of the British Embassy in Venezuela, who wrote earlier on X that the UK remained committed to supporting Venezuela in the long term.
"Today we announce that we will elevate the level of our diplomatic relations," Dick said, adding that he hoped the UK and Venezuela would work more closely together in the coming years.
Blanco said Venezuela was ready to deepen "respectful and constructive dialogue" and promote cooperation in areas of common interest.
He also stressed the need to move forward with the "recovery of resources that legitimately belong to Venezuelans."
Venezuela has since 2018 sought the release of about 4 billion U.S. dollars in gold reserves held at the Bank of England. ■
