Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Ali bin Ibrahim Al-Naimi confirmed that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is considered, thanks to its moderate and balanced policy, one of the most enthusiastic and interested countries in adopting constant dialogue among oil producers and consumers. In a speech before the 12th Ministerial Conference for the International Energy Forum (IEF) in this Mexican city of Cancun, Al-Naimi said this policy aims at providing credible energy supplies at the reach of all, noting that the Kingdom believes that dialogue should be open and not confined to days of crises. To guarantee the continuation of such efforts, the Kingdom has suggested the set up of a permanent secretariat general for the International Energy Forum to enhance relations between producers and consumers of petroleum, he said, adding that the Kingdom enjoys the honor to host the headquarters of the IEF's secretariat general. So far, the IEF takes the correct path to achieve its goals and live up to its responsibilities, Al-Naimi added. He said that the IEF accepts the Joint Initiative for Petroleum Statements, an additional statistical effort to that one exerted by several worldwide renowned bodies aiming at presenting oil information to the public and industry as well. He declared that ministers who took part in Jeddah Energy Meeting in June 2008 and London Energy Meeting in December 2008 have agreed to forge an expert group to present recommendations to this 12th Ministerial Meeting to set up the basics for an international dialogue, enhance the IEF and reduce the oil market fluctuations. They also agreed that OPEC has to provide technical assistance to the Secretariat General of the IEF as deemed necessary, noting that a higher guide group was formed to supervise the referential items for the expert group. In this regard, Al-Naimi extended thanks to Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, President of the Higher Guide Group and his aides for the effort they exerted to achieve the common interest for the presence and future of the energy producing and consuming countries.
