CARACAS, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- Venezuelan Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza confirmed Saturday that he has participated in two meetings with U.S. Special Representative for Venezuela Elliott Abrams to address the two countries' relationship.

"We have held two meetings of which I can not give details because I have to respect the confidentiality of them, but there have been meetings where we have listened to each other," Arreaza said in statements broadcast on Venezuelan state television.

Arreaza said that at the meetings "there have been moments of tension, there are profound differences, but at the same time there are shared concerns and hopefully we can build on this dialogue proposed by the State Department."

The foreign minister also mentioned the possible formation of an office of interests in the United States and another in Venezuela after the rupture of bilateral relations as part of the talks.

Without giving further details, Arreaza said President Nicolas Maduro is aware of every detail of the meetings that have taken place.