Ilham Aliyev received OPEC Secretary General

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has received Secretary General of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) Mohammad Sanusi Barkindo.

The head of state thanked Mohammad Sanusi Barkindo for accepting the invitation to attend a meeting of OPEC+ countries.

Underlining that Baku is the world`s home of oil, President Ilham Aliyev described the Azerbaijani capital`s hosting the event as symbolic. The head of state hailed the fact that the Azerbaijani side`s proposal to hold this event in Baku was accepted by Mohammad Barkindo personally and by member states of the organization. Taking into consideration that OPEC+ is a new format, President Ilham Aliyev stressed the importance of the fact that one of the first events in this format is held in Azerbaijan. The President described it as a sign of friendship and confidence in Azerbaijan. President Ilham Aliyev expressed confidence that the meeting of OPEC+ countries will be successful and contribute to the stabilization of oil price, which will be acceptable for oil producers, consumers, companies and countries.

OPEC Secretary General Mohammad Barkindo thanked the head of state for the invitation. Noting that the world's first-ever mechanically drilled oil well was drilled in Baku in 1846, Mohammad Barkindo stressed the importance of the visit of the event participants to Azerbaijan. He underlined that President Ilham Aliyev is the first head of state to initiate a meeting in the format of OPEC+. Mohammad Barkindo recalled that it was initiated by President Ilham Aliyev three years ago in Davos. Emphasizing that this initiative has already become a reality, Mohammad Barkindo praised President Ilham Aliyev`s views and leadership in this work. He pointed out that Azerbaijan has been actively involved in these processes since the first day of cooperation in the OPEC+ format.

Expressing gratitude for the warm words, President Ilham Aliyev recalled his initiative for cooperation in the OPEC+ format in Davos a few years ago. The head of state lauded cooperation that has been implemented ever since.

The sides also hailed cooperation between Azerbaijan and OPEC as well as the successful implementation of the Southern Gas Corridor.