Mexican Energy Minister Ernesto Martens flew Saturday into Riyadh for talks with his Saudi and Venezuelan counterparts ahead of an OPEC meeting expected to cut oil output, reported the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).
It said Martens was greeted on his arrival late Saturday by Saudi Oil Minister Ali al-Nuaimi.
They were to discuss the supply and demand situation on the world oil market, a Mexican diplomat said.
Venezuelan Energy Minister Alvaro Silva Calderon, meanwhile, was due in Riyadh late Sunday for talks the next day with his Saudi counterpart.
Saudi officials said the three ministers would also meet jointly before leaving for the March 16 meeting in Vienna of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), added the agency.
Diplomats posted in Riyadh said that Martens, whose country is a major independent oil producer, would also travel to Vienna for talks on the sidelines of the cartel's meeting, reported AFP.
Mexico, Saudi Arabia and Venezuela regularly consult ahead of major decisions on oil production levels.
In London, oil prices slouched lower Friday as the market waited for indications on the size of an OPEC cut. A barrel of Brent North Sea crude for April delivery slipped to 26.47 dollars from 26.68 dollars at the previous close, said the agency – Albawaba.com
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