Faced with the backlash it faced last week after the OPEC+ decision to reduce the oil cartel’s output target by 2 million barrels a day, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan tried to defend it on Tuesday, stressing that it was made for purely economic reasons.
The cuts, which will take effect next month, were agreed unanimously by the energy ministers from the oil-producing member countries when they met last week.
Noting that OPEC+ countries acted responsibly and took the appropriate decision, Prince Faisal said that member states made the decision in pursuit of market stability and aiming to achieve the interests of producers and consumers.
The Saudi minister also addressed US concerns and accusations that Riyad is siding with Russia and is using energy as a weapon and indications that the Biden administration is thinking of reviewing its relationship with the Kingdom.
Stressing that Saudi Arabia’s ties with the United States are strategic and support the security and stability in the region, Prince Faisal noted that the Kingdom’s relationship with the US has been institutionalized since it was established.
The Saudi minister’s remarks came after lawmakers from President Biden’s Democratic Party proposed that Washington halts arms sales to Saudi Arabia in light of the OPEC+ decision and Saudi Arabia’s recently voiced support for Russia.
Although some congressmen also proposed extending domestic antitrust laws to international commerce or withdrawing American troops from the Kingdom, US lawmakers believe that the most straightforward, most urgent move to fortify US national security is to put a stop to all US military supplies, sales and other weapons aid to Saudi Arabia.
Addressing these demands, Prince Faisal underscored that the Saudi-US military cooperation served the interests of both countries and has contributed to the stability of the region.
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