2005 - OPEC

Russia-OPEC Energy Dialogue
Russia, as the world’s second largest oil exporter and the number one natural gas ex-
porter, plays an extremely significant role on the global energy scene. Its relationship with
OPEC goes back many years. Since 1992, it has enjoyed OPEC observer status, participating
in a number of OPEC Ministerial Conferences. Russian officials have also attended several
workshops and in-house meetings at the OPEC Secretariat in Vienna.
In 2003 and 2004, two joint workshops were held between the OPEC Secretariat and Russia’s
MGIMO-University of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The first in Vienna in July 2003 saw an
exchange of views on the outlook for the world energy market, as well as a discussion on
trends in petroleum upstream investment. The second in Moscow in October 2004 examined
the oil market challenges facing OPEC Member Countries (MCs) and Russia in the early 21st
century, as well as issues related to climate change and trade. This was followed by a formal
visit from the President of OPEC and a delegation from the Secretariat to Russia in late De-
cember 2005. The meeting covered an exchange of views on oil market developments; energy
policies, including demand, with aspects of expectations from G-8 countries; multilateral issues
including the environment; and, OPEC-Russia cooperation on energy issues in relation to Rus-
sia assuming the Presidency of the G-8 in 2006.
At Russia’s request, the OPEC Secretariat provided input on the producers’ perspective on is-
sues related to broader energy and oil matters, for example, security of demand and supply.
The Russian delegation expressed the view that they are in agreement with most of the issues
and concerns raised by OPEC, in particular:
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