The Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (Opec) welcomed non-member countries at its 149th meeting this week.

Opec greeted the minister of petroleum of Egypt, the deputy prime minister of the Russian Federation, and the minister of energy and mining of the Republic of Sudan at the meeting, which convened in Vienna, Austria, on 9th and 10th September.

All of the above states are non-Opec, oil-producing countries.

The organisation claims it is seeking to open a dialogue with the aforementioned nations to maintain stability in the oil market.

Meanwhile, member countries affirmed their willingness to work within the international community to secure strength in the sphere, according to Opec.

The intergovernmental organisation stated: "The conference observed that production action taken by Opec member countries has ensured that the oil market is well supplied."

Russian vice-premier Igor Sechin called for increased cooperation between the cartel and his country at the conference.

Mr Sechin is also chairman of Russia's largest oil group Rosneft.

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