From the beginning of 2006 the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela is in an active dialogue with the Institute about the possibility of joining JINR as an associate member. On 6 — 7 November in Caracas the 5th session of the Russian-Venezuelan High-Level Commission under the direction of Deputy Prime Minister of the Government of the Russian Federation I. Sechin (on the Russian side) was held. JINR Deputy Chief Scientific Secretary D. Kamanin took part in the activity of the Group on Science and Education under the direction of Deputy Minister of Education and Science of the Russian Federation Yu. Sentyurin. One of the aims of the Group was to move scientific and business contacts between JINR and Venezuela to a qualitatively new level.

JINR proposals of the construction of the Cyclotron Centre in Venezuela and the proposal of the Scientific Production Center Aspect to cooperate in the field of radiation monitoring systems were included in the final protocol. The Ministry of Science and Technology of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela showed a great interest in the development of academic contacts with JINR. The Nuclear Energy Department and the Alternative Energy Department also demonstrated a wide range of interests to the Institute.

The government delegation moved from Caracas to Havana, where on 8 November a session of the Intergovernmental Russian-Cuban Commission for Cooperation was held. The development of relations in the area of nanotechnologies, innovations and educational programs between JINR and Cuba also was in the centre of attention of the science team. It was chaired on the Cuban side by the Plenipotentiary of the Government of the Republic of Cuba to JINR and Director of the International Cooperation Department of the Ministry of Science and Technology of Cuba J. Chamero.

In the course of the talks it was decided to hold exhibitions of Russian advanced developments and technologies in Venezuela and Cuba in 2009 where JINR also will have an opportunity to present its scientific developments.