OPEC chief: Sanctions cannot hinder Iran's progress

Secretary-General of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries Abdalla Salem El-Badri said that sanctions imposed on Iran may reduce the speed of Iran’s progress and development but cannot block such a progress.El-Badri who is in Tehran to attend the 15th International Conference on Technology and Innovation in Oil and Gas Industry kicked off this morning made the remarks during a press conference held on the sidelines of the event. OPEC is an economic organization and Iran, a founder of the body plays an influential and effective role in this international organization, he said. He said that he held positive talks with Iran’s Minister of Oil Rostam Qasemi. El-Badri said that the Iranian minister underlined the need for a consensus among the member states during the next OPEC meeting. He said the latest world economic developments, including the recent financial crisis in the US, were reviewed in the meeting. The 15th International Conference on Technology and Innovation in Oil and Gas Industry aims to formulate a roadmap for oil and gas industry as well as promoting and applying technologies to bring a bright future during two-day specialized work.