WORLD> Middle East
Energy ministers of major oil producers, consumers to meet
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-06-15 14:39

RIYADH -- Energy ministers of the world's major oil-producing and consuming nations will meet in Saudi Arabia on June 22 to discuss ways of curbing the soaring oil prices, Saudi Oil Minister Ali bin Ibrahim Al-n'aimi said on Saturday.

Major oil-producers, including members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, Russia, Norway, Mexico and Brazil, and big consumers including the United States, Britain, Germany, France, Japan, China and India will send their energy ministers or representatives to the meeting, Al-n'aimi said.

Deputies of international organizations including the International Energy Agency and the European Commission are also expected to participate, he said.

The meeting, to be held in the western port city of Jeddah, will seek understanding and cooperation between leading oil producers and big consumers and relevant organizations in tackling the current "abnormal" oil prices, said the minister.

Saudi Arabia issued the invitations for the countries and organizations under a proposal of Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdul-Aziz,he said.

Al-n'aimi also met with visiting British Energy Minister Malcolm Wicks on Saturday. Both sides exchanged views on the current situation in the international energy markets and discussed bilateral cooperation in exploiting clean energies.