Barkindo added that in 61 years, the organization has gone through various stages and crises, however what happened in 2020 as a result of Covid-19, is unprecedented. | Photo: Twitter 

Caracas, September 16 (RHC)-- The Secretary General of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), Mohammad Barkindo, began an official visit to Caracas, Venezuela, on the occasion of the 61st anniversary of the organization. 

Barkindo was received by Foreign Minister Felix Plasencia at the airport in Caracas and met later with the Minister for Petroleum, Tareck El Aissami.  At a news conference, the minister proposed to work to consolidate an integral oil policy that strengthens the market, with coherence, cohesion and consensus. 

Regarding the meeting, he ratified Venezuela's commitment to continue strengthening the OPEC+ cooperation agreement.   And the Venezuelan official added that despite the efforts to balance oil prices, Venezuela continues to be under siege by the United States. 

In turn, Barkindo added that in 61 years, the organization has gone through various stages and crises, however what happened in 2020 as a result of COVID-19, is unprecedented.  "We can say that the best days for OPEC and Venezuela are ahead of us," he emphasized. 

On the other hand, the head of OPEC stressed that the global outlook reflects that until 2045 there will be a growth in oil and gas consumption.  The Nigerian-native said he will carry out a work agenda focused on strengthening the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries and on the hydrocarbons market, considering that Venezuela has the largest proven reserves of crude oil on the planet.

Recent statements by Barkindo account that Venezuela was also extremely active in OPEC's responses to the 2014-2016 oil market slowdown and the severe contraction of oil demand due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

Barkindo also praised Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, who he said has been instrumental in ensuring that the 2019 "Declaration of Cooperation" has had such a positive impact on the global oil market.

OPEC emerged on September 14, 1960, in Baghdad, capital of Iraq, under the leadership of Venezuelan Juan Pablo Pérez Alfonso and Saudi Abdula Al Tarik, precursors of this idea that formally incorporated Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Venezuela in its first steps.