Venezuela and Bolivia deepen ties with new accords

CARACAS, Venezuela

The governments of Venezuela and Bolivia have signed a series of accords strengthening commercial ties, including one creating a joint company to produce natural gas.

Officials signed 15 accords on Friday as Bolivian President Evo Morales visited western Venezuela with President Hugo Chavez, a fellow socialist.

In other accords, the South American allies pledged cooperation in oil, mining, finance, agriculture, technology, manufacturing. Chavez the countries are deepening their "strategic alliance."