Some members of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries aim to exploit the group by pursuing their political ambitions.
Kazem Gharib-Abadi, Tehran’s ambassador to international organizations in Vienna, made the statement on the sidelines of a meeting with OPEC Secretary-General Mohammad Barkindo, IRNA reported.
“Amid current turmoil in the energy market and international relations, it is of high importance for OPEC to retain its independence and professionalism, and try to remain an apolitical organization,” Gharib-Abadi said.
The official added that OPEC should not allow a few member states to exploit it for the sake of their political goals.
Gharib-Abadi stressed that OPEC’s decisions in its ministerial meeting with non-OPEC states, held in Vienna on June 23, 2018, should be carefully implemented by the members and the organization should avoid interpretations that are inconsistent with these decisions.
Barkindo said that Iran, as one of the main founders of OPEC, has always played an important and constructive role in the organization’s leadership and decision-making.
“We have very close relations with Iran and Oil Minister Bijan Namdar Zanganeh, and consultation with member countries, including Iran, is one of the organization’s main routine plans,” he added.
During the fourth ministerial meeting, OPEC and a group of non-OPEC countries agreed that they would return to 100% compliance with previously agreed oil output cuts, after months of underproduction by OPEC countries, including Venezuela and Angola.
Referring to the US unilateral withdrawal of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action and imposing sanctions on Iran, Gharib-Abadi noted that such measures by the US have faced widespread condemnations from many countries and international organizations.
US President Donald Trump in May unilaterally withdrew the United States from the nuclear deal sealed in 2015 between Tehran and six world powers. The US has said it would end the sanctions only if Iran agrees to a new deal. Tehran has rejected the idea.
“No country can gain other member states’ quota of oil production and export under any circumstances, and no permit has been issued during the ministerial meeting for such actions. In addition, technical conditions of other countries do not indicate such an ability,” Gharib-Abadi said.
Iran's ambassador to international organizations in Vienna stressed that the Islamic Republic of Iran believes OPEC should, in the current situation, strongly support its members and prevent the plans and actions of countries seeking to politicize the organization.
