VIENNA, July 6 (KUNA) -- OPEC Secretary General Mohammad Sanusi Barkindo on Monday held an online meeting with Abdelmadjid Attar, Algeria's newly appointed Minister of Energy and President of the OPEC Conference, to discuss global oil market developments.
The discussion also dealt with the progress made in implementing the recent decisions of the OPEC Conference and the OPEC and non-OPEC Ministerial Meetings, according to a press release from the organization.
The Secretary General began by highlighting the historic and robust ties between OPEC and Algeria, noting that Algeria has always been a loyal advocate of OPEC's mission and played a key role in the major decisions of the Organization.
Barkindo welcomed the new OPEC President, emphasizing the wealth of experience and knowledge that the Minister brings to OPEC at a critical time.
"Excellency, in these extraordinary times, it is extremely important to have enlightened and experienced leadership to guide our vessel through turbulent seas towards safe and secure land," he said.
"In this regard, we welcome you serving as Algeria's Head of Delegation and President of the OPEC Conference, to draw on your very rich experience in the oil sector." In discussing the oil markets, the Secretary General said, "OPEC and its non-OPEC partners of the Declaration of Cooperation (DoC) have extended much needed support through their decisive set of actions on the supply side." "Despite the significant prevailing challenges expected to be with us in the months ahead, we remain optimistic that through hard work, solidarity and a continued focus on multilateral stakeholder engagement, we will once again return to a stronger, more stable oil market, a growing economy and prosperity for the world's citizens," Barkindo added.
Attar said that OPEC has a long history of being resilient in the face of crises, adding, "OPEC is a great Organization which has survived the tests of time", and that the Organization would come through this current crisis as well.
On the topic of the 60th Anniversary Commemoration this September, Attar said that he welcomed Iraq's invitation to participate in this important event in Baghdad, the birthplace of OPEC.
"We are very proud of our (OPEC's) achievements and that we are celebrating our 60th Anniversary," he commented, adding, "Yes we can do the celebrations in Baghdad." Abdelmadjid Attar was appointed as Algeria's Minister of Energy and Head of its Delegation to OPEC in June 2020. The Minister previously served as Minister of Water Resources and CEO of Sonatrach, Algeria's national oil company.
OPEC was established on September 14, 1960, in Baghdad by five founding members, namely Kuwait, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Iran and Venezuela. (end) amg.gb