Egypt could replace Austria as the venue for the OPEC-non-OPEC meeting on April 17-18, Egyptian minister of petroleum and mineral resources Tarek El Molla said on the sidelines of the CERAWeek conference in the US city Houston.
"Yes, of course, [Egypt is] considering [hosting OPEC-non-OPEC meetings]. Definitely. We are welcoming," El Molla said, when asked whether Cairo considered hosting OPEC-non-OPEC meetings.
"It will be our pleasure and honor to welcome the OPEC and non-OPEC countries," Sputnik cited him as saying.
OPEC Secretary General Mohammad Barkindo said on Monday that Vienna would host the upcoming 17-18 April meeting between OPEC member states and non-cartel producers, as planned. He added that he could not currently say whether Cairo could host future OPEC-non-OPEC meetings.
Egypt has the status of an OPEC observer nation. Tarek El Molla said that while Egypt was now considering cutting its oil production, it would not be easy for the country to make this step.
