‘Common agenda in Opec’ for Russia, Africa

RUSSIA and Africa can have a common agenda in Opec and within the framework of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum, including on domestic consumption and reformatting the hydrocarbon market, the Russian Foreign Ministry’s ambassador-at-large and the head of the Russia-africa partnership forum, Oleg Ozerov, said yesterday.

“African countries account for almost half of the seats in the Gas Exporting Countries Forum and in the Opec. Russia and Africa can have a common agenda in these organizations – supporting domestic consumption, reformatting in the interests of countries and consumers the current hydrocarbon market and its pricing mechanisms,” Ozerov said at the international inter-party forum of the United Russia party dedicated to current international security issues.

The ambassador added that Russian authorities were taking steps to build full-scale and mutually beneficial co-operation between the countries in promising industries, such as energy, gas and aircraft.

The conference, titled “Crucial Issues of International Security in the Conditions of Geopolitical Instability”, brought together a wide range of African representatives.

In August, Russian First Deputy Energy Minister Pavel Sorokin and African Energy Chamber executive chairperson NJ Ayuk exchanged views on the development of joint projects in Africa to increase energy deliveries to local markets. The sides discussed the investment potential and current projects on energy production on the African continent, co-operation between Russia and African countries within Opec+ and the Gas Exporting Countries Forum, as well as approaches to the global energy and climate agenda with a focus on universal access to energy sources. |