Russia has vowed to pursue cooperation with the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, through the group's current presidency holder Angola, state media said late Friday.
The statements come as several of the group's members have complained Russia had not acted on its pledge to join OPEC's oil production cuts. Instead, the world's largest oil producer now says it could boost output this year. But Russian president Dmitry Medvedev pledged to pursue OPEC cooperation in talks with his Angolan counterpart, Jose Eduardo dos Santos, during his visit to Luanda Friday, state agency Angola Press and a Russia press statement said.
"The sides pledged to deepen the regular energy dialogue with due account of hydrocarbon producers - Russia and Angola - and the Angolan current status of the OPEC chair," the Russian communique said.