Putin discusses oil market issues with Qatari emir by phone

MOSCOW, Mar 22 (PRIME) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has discussed the situation on the oil market and a forthcoming meeting to agree on oil output freeze with Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the emir of Qatar, in a phone conversation on Tuesday, presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.

“Yes, this topic has been mentioned,” Peskov said, when asked whether the meeting preliminarily slated for April 17 was discussed.

In February, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Venezuela agreed to freeze 2016 oil output at the January level if other oil producers join the initiative. Ecuador, Algeria, Nigeria, Oman, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates were among the countries which expressed readiness to participate.

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