Expert: Iran has few chances to get required number of votes for OPEC secretary general’s post

Azerbaijan, Baku, Dec. 12 / Trend T. Jafarov / Although Iran put forward its own candidate for the post of OPEC Secretary General, it has few chances to get the necessary number of votes. One can even say that no chances at all, expert on oil and gas, former head of the International Relations Department of the Iranian National Oil Company Dr. Parviz Mina told Trend. "Taking into account the strong competition between Iran and the Arab countries for the post of OPEC Secretary General for 2013, as well as U.S and European countries' pressure on Iran in connection with its nuclear program, Iran has few chances to get votes." In a letter to the current leadership in June 2012, Iran's oil minister Rostam Ghasemi introduced the candidacy of former Iranian Oil Minister Nozari Gulamhuseyn for the post of OPEC Secretary General in 2013. OPEC current head Abdalla Salem El-Badri will retire on December 31, 2012. Besides Iran, Saudi Arabia and Iraq nominated their candidates. Although Ecuador previously nominated its candidate for the post, but later it withdrew its bid. A new secretary-general for 2013 will be elected at today's OPEC meeting in Vienna. Mina said that the candidates from Saudi Arabia and Iraq have more chances to win. He said that if Iranian candidate becomes OPEC Secretary General, the Iranian role in the organization will increase and the implementation of this organization's programs will be effective. Iran, as one of OPEC founders and the second largest oil producer, chaired the organization in 2011. The 157th OPEC meeting was held in the Austrian capital. Around 12 members attended it. Iranian Oil Minister Seyed Masoud Mirkazemi was elected as chairman of the organization, while Iraqi Oil Minister became his deputy. Iranian Fuad Rouhani was OPEC first secretary general from 1961 to 1964. Do you have any feedback? Contact our journalist at agency@trend.az