Russia expected to sign oil production freeze deal in Doha, talks failure not expected - Novak
DOHA. April 18 (Interfax) - Russia intended to sign an oil production freeze agreement in Doha; it did not expect the negotiations to fail, Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak told reporters on Sunday.
"On the whole, we expected to come to terms. It seemed to me that the countries came here with the intention of reaching an agreement rather than discussing the need to engage in the process some other countries, which were not involved today," he said.
"I mean, in principle, if we had found time and come here after we had discussed the required terms and the freeze deal, there were prospects and expectations of reaching an agreement," the minister said.
"On the other hand, we understand the positions declared by OPEC member countries. We understand there have been disagreements inside the cartel for the past eight years," Novak said.
"I believe that the expectations, which existed in the process of preparations for this meeting, were not met," the minister said.