Putin, Saudi crown prince laud coordination in OPEC+ during phone call - Kremlin

MOSCOW. April 21 (Interfax) - Russian President Vladimir Putin has spoken with Saudi Crown Prince, Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud by phone, the Kremlin press service said on Friday.

"A number of topical issues on the bilateral agenda were considered with an emphasis on the further expansion of mutually beneficial relations in the trade, economic, investment and energy fields. Satisfaction was expressed with the level of coordination within OPEC+ aimed at ensuring global oil market stability," the press service said.

The phone call took place at the initiative of the Saudi side, it said.

The two sides also discussed the prospects for Saudi Arabia's interaction with BRICS, it said.

"Views were exchanged on various aspects of the situation in the Middle East, in the context of efforts undertaken with Russia and Saudi Arabia's participation towards settling crises in the region," the press service said.

Putin congratulated the leadership and people of the Kingdom on Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

"The conversation was friendly, constructive and substantive. In view of this, the sides agreed to step up contacts in specific areas of cooperation," the press service said.