Closer ties for Pastrana and Chavez

President Hugo Chavez of Venezuela has described relations between Colombia and Venezuela as strengthened and solid, after two days of meetings with the Colombian president, Andres Pastrana.

The talks were held following a lengthy diplomatic row over the extradition of a Colombian suspected hijacker, Jose Maria Ballestas.

He is being held in custody and Venezuela has so far refused to hand him over.

Mr Chavez said that the situation would be resolved, but did not say how.

The two leaders also announced their plans for closer commercial integration, and that Mr Chavez would visit Colombia in May.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service