HE Günther Oettinger, the European Commissioner for Budget and Human Resources, and the former European Commissioner for Energy, accompanied by a delegation of high level German dignitaries, visited the headquarters of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) in Vienna today, and met with its Secretary General, HE Mohammad Sanusi Barkindo.

Secretary General of OPEC Mohammed Barkindo

HE Oettinger and HE Barkindo both welcomed the opportunity to discuss global oil and energy issues and to share opinions from both the producer and consumer viewpoints.  The two also expressed their ongoing strong support for the EU-OPEC Energy Dialogue that began in 2005.

The OPEC Secretariat provided presentations on recent oil market developments, the historic ‘Declaration of Cooperation’ between 24 OPEC and non-OPEC producing nations and the future role of oil in the energy mix. The attending delegates then engaged in a question and answer session.

HE Barkindo said: “We actively look to engage with all stakeholders, including today with the Commissioner and dignitaries from a major EU consuming country. It is important to appreciate the different perspectives we all have in order to help better understand what is at stake as decisions are made and policies are put in place to evolve the future global energy mix in the decades ahead.”