OPEC+ has proven to be oil market's central bank, says Saudi energy minister
RIYADH: OPEC+ has proven to be the 'central bank' and regulator of the global oil market, providing much-needed stability, Saudi Arabia's energy minister said.
Speaking at the annual St. Petersburg International Economic Forum in Russia, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman praised the alliance's role in balancing oil markets amid global economic uncertainties.
'I would have to say that OPEC+ had proven to be an instrument that if it wasn't invented by us and Russia and our colleagues, it should have been invented a long time ago because this is what OPEC+ had achieved in terms of bringing stability to the market and had proven that it is the central bank and the regulator of oil markets,' the energy minister said.
Prince Abdulaziz also highlighted the ongoing partnership between Saudi Arabia and Russia through the Saudi-Russian Joint Committee, noting plans for Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak to visit the Kingdom later this year with a high-level business delegation.
'I'm looking forward to host Alexander — the co-chair of our joint committee — to Saudi Arabia this year, with the biggest, most sizable business community participation,' he said.
Prince Abdulaziz emphasized that the collaboration seeks to deepen bilateral economic ties and foster diversified investment opportunities.
'We have a lot to showcase that bonding together. It will allow us to have a much more diversified relationship, and we are, as a government, working together to provide the right environment for those who want to invest in Saudi Arabia or in Russia or in any type or form of joint venturing that we should facilitate that and ensure that the investment environment is congenial for it to happen,' he added.
The minister described the energy alliance as a flexible mechanism responsive to changing global conditions, reaffirming Saudi Arabia's commitment to cooperation with partners to maintain market stability.
Acknowledging the challenges facing Russia, Prince Abdulaziz noted the Kingdom's support amid external restrictions.
'It's been a challenging time what Russia is going through, but we have shown a great deal of understanding of the situation, and we're trying to maneuver with the restrictions that are existing today,' he said.
'That has been the discharge of our leadership willingness to accommodate with this current situation and hopefully helping to support Russia in mitigating these exterior most daunting issues.'
On whether Saudi Arabia and Russia would compensate for any loss of Iranian crude supplies, the minister stressed that such scenarios are hypothetical and that OPEC+ decisions are collective.
'You give me a question that is not evidently seen happening, I don't have an answer for you. Again, we only react to realities. But if anybody gives a question that is not relating to the reality today, I fail to see where we could predict things and how we would relate to it,' he said.
The minister clarified that OPEC+ consists of 22 member states and is not dominated by Saudi Arabia and Russia alone. A core group of eight countries is tasked with engaging the full membership to ensure coordinated responses to market changes.
'To respond to a hypothetical question by giving a hypothetical answer, which none of us two here have the right to speak on behalf of everybody without knowing their opinion, is too much of an ask,' he added.
He concluded by highlighting OPEC+'s reputation as a reliable and adaptive organization.
'What we know and what Alexander was saying just a while ago is that we have, as OPEC even before, an OPEC+ attending to so many circumstances since its first, it was in sequence, even inception, that we have been a reliable organization, a serious organization, an effective organization, and attentive to circumstances when they prevail,' he said.
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