Secretary-General of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) Mohammed Barkindo said on Saturday that the OPEC Algiers accord was impossible without Iran's leading role, IRNA reported.
Speaking to reporters after a meeting with Minister of Petroleum Bijan Zangeneh, Barkindo praised Iran's constructive role in forging consensus in the Algiers' meeting, dated September 26-28.
'Consensus in Algiers was not possible without the constructive engagement and the leadership role of Iran, that was represented in the meeting by Zangeneh.'
Barkindo expressed optimism and confidence with the November 30 meeting in Vienna and said, 'I remain cautiously optimistic for having a successful meeting in Vienna.'
He referred to his consultations with Iranian petroleum minister before the Algiers meeting and added, 'I came here before everything to brief the Iranian petroleum minister on the latest developments in the oil market personally.'
'I came here to meet the Iranian petroleum minister just before attending the crucial meeting of the OPEC members in Algiers and Minister Zangeneh assured me here that he in person and Iran would do everything they can to reach consensus and to work for it,' the official added.
He noted, 'Therefore, I remain personally grateful to him for the flexibility he showed in Algiers and the accommodation and the leadership role he played to ensure we come out of Algiers with an agreement.'
'It is not a coincidence that I came back to Iran before the Vienna meeting, I came to exchange views with Mr Zangeneh and also to brief him with the latest developments; to even respectfully ask him to show more flexibility in Vienna in November so that, we can implement the Algiers accord,' Barkindo said.
Zangeneh hosted a meeting with Barkindo on Saturday at his Tehran office.
Members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries will meet on November 30 to discuss a proposed production freeze plan in Vienna.
The OPEC members agreed on the outline of a freeze plan on the sidelines of the International Energy Forum (IEF), which grouped producers and consumers, in Algeria from September 26-28.
The freeze plan is expected to revive a global deal to stabilize oil output levels.