Jordan Times
Monday, May 15, 2006
King calls for Arab
mechanism to deal with rising oil prices
The 8th Arab Energy Conference opened on Sunday under the title, ‘Energy and
Arab Cooperation’
AMMAN (Petra) — His Majesty King Abdullah on Sunday met with energy ministers
from Arab countries participating in the 8th Arab Energy Conference which opened
on Sunday under the title “Energy and Arab Cooperation.”
During the meeting, the King lauded successful Arab experiences in this field,
citing the Egyptian gas pipeline project and the electric grid connecting
Jordan, Egypt, Syria and Lebanon.
Stressing the need for more joint Arab ventures, the Monarch also highlighted
the importance of establishing an Arab institutional framework for oil and
energy issues in order to develop a pan-Arab perspective.
He expressed hope that an Arab mechanism would be created to deal with the
challenges resulting from the increase in oil prices.
Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Azmi Khreisat, who also attended the
meeting, briefed the gathering on the energy conference.
He highlighted the topics on the conference agenda such as energy sources in the
Arab world and the financing of petroleum projects, in addition to energy-
related issues like the environment and sustainable development.
Referring to the impact of high oil prices on the exporting and importing
countries, the energy ministers said the unstable political situation and
conflict in oil markets played a crucial role in the surge of crude oil prices
in the global market.
They thanked the King for his support of the four-day conference, which
represents an important step to promote joint Arab action.
The conference activities began yesterday with participants stressing the need
for continued cooperation among Arab countries in the energy sector.
Over 600 energy experts and officials are participating in the event, along with
energy ministers from several Arab countries.
Deputising for King Abdullah, Prime Minister Marouf Bakhit inaugurated the
event, highlighting the need to activate Arab cooperation in the field of energy
and to draw up a strategy based on integration among the energy sectors of Arab
countries.
In his opening address, the premier said the conference was “one of the most
important landmarks in joint Arab action in one of the most significant and
active economic sectors.”
“It embodies cooperation, whose bases have been founded on common interests,
offering a way for broader cooperation,” he added.
Bakhit highlighted challenges facing the country in light of the rising oil
prices in the international market.
‘’The increase in oil prices created challenges hindering the implementation of
our programmes,’’ he added.
Speaking on behalf of the Arab League Secretary General Amr Musa, Department of
Environment and Sustainable Development Director Fatma Salah Al Din Al Mallah
said the conference highlights issues on energy and its sources in the Arab
world as well as scopes of cooperation in this field.
She said the conference sessions would examine the effects of energy production
on the environment and sustainable development in light of the strong connection
between these issues.
Emphasising the importance of the event, Khreisat said it was being held under
exceptional conditions reflecting a state of instability in the energy market.
He said fluctuating oil prices had made the issue of energy a top priority for
all countries.
Cooperation between producers and consumers and its impact on oil market
stability, and energy consumption and conservation in the Arab world will be
among the issues discussed in the event.
The conference is sponsored by the Arab Fund for Economic and Social
Development, the Arab Industrial Development and Mining Organisation and the
Organisation of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries.