Saudi Arabia’s energy minister praised the outgoing Iranian oil minister’s contribution towards achieving agreements within Opec.
Iranian oil minister Bijan Zanganeh is retiring after many years at the organisation.
“I always took his friendship as a meaningful way to enable us to navigate within the corridors of the art of the possible of how to achieve agreements, yet confine ourselves in the so called Opec silo,” Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman said on Thursday.
“This way we can deliver joint achievements regardless of the politics of the day,” said the kingdom’s minister, describing Mr Zanganeh as a personal friend.
Mr Zanganeh will be stepping down as Iran’s oil minister as the new government under Ebrahim Raisi takes over the reins of power in the country next month.
“If it wasn’t for his Excellency’s demeanour … of understanding of separating issues, it would have been quite a harsh time for all of us and specifically Opec,” Prince Abdulaziz said.
Saudi Arabia, along with Iran and other member countries of the Opec group, are cutting production to support oil markets.
Brent, the international benchmark for more than half of the world’s crude, was trading close to $76 per barrel at 3:48pm UAE time on Friday.
Mr Zanganeh said Iran maintained a healthy oil production and exported reasonably despite nuclear sanctions.
“Our oil industry suffered greatly from and was prevented from realising its home ground potential but we Iranians survive and will not bow to bullying,” he said.
Iran is holding talks to re-establish or renegotiate the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, which was struck in 2015 and lifted some economic sanctions in return for limits on the country's nuclear programme.
The US withdrew from the pact in 2018 under the Trump administration.
What is a calorie?
A food calorie, or kilocalorie, is a measure of nutritional energy generated from what is consumed.
One calorie, is the amount of heat needed to raise the temperature of 1 kilogram of water by 1°C.
A kilocalorie represents a 1,000 true calories of energy.
Energy density figures are often quoted as calories per serving, with one gram of fat in food containing nine calories, and a gram of protein or carbohydrate providing about four.
Alcohol contains about seven calories a gram.
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MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, second leg result:
Ajax 2-3 Tottenham
Tottenham advance on away goals rule after tie ends 3-3 on aggregate
Final: June 1, Madrid
IF YOU GO
The flights
FlyDubai flies direct from Dubai to Skopje in five hours from Dh1,314 return including taxes. Hourly buses from Skopje to Ohrid take three hours.
The tours
English-speaking guided tours of Ohrid town and the surrounding area are organised by Cultura 365; these cost €90 (Dh386) for a one-day trip including driver and guide and €100 a day (Dh429) for two people.
The hotels
Villa St Sofija in the old town of Ohrid, twin room from $54 (Dh198) a night.
St Naum Monastery, on the lake 30km south of Ohrid town, has updated its pilgrims' quarters into a modern 3-star hotel, with rooms overlooking the monastery courtyard and lake. Double room from $60 (Dh 220) a night.
The five new places of worship
Church of South Indian Parish
St Andrew's Church Mussaffah branch
St Andrew's Church Al Ain branch
St John's Baptist Church, Ruwais
Church of the Virgin Mary and St Paul the Apostle, Ruwais
Islamophobia definition
A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.
