the full text of the Secretary General of OPEC, Haithan Al Ghais is as follows:

HE Eng. Mohsen Paknejad

Minister of Petroleum

Islamic Republic of Iran

Excellency,

On behalf of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and myself personally, I convey our warmest congratulations to Your Excellency on your recent appointment as Minister of Petroleum of the Islamic Republic of Iran and Head of its Delegation.

Excellency, your appointment comes at an important juncture for OPEC, as participants in the Declaration of Cooperation between OPEC and non-OPEC nations, and global oil markets, look to sustain stability in the market in the interests of both producers and consumers. With the Islamic Republic of Iran as a Founder Member of OPEC, we look forward to your esteemed country's continued support. I am confident that Your Excellency 's rich experience will truly enrich our ongoing discussions and collaboration.

It was a great honour to visit your esteemed country last year in May, and to have the opportunity to meet with the late President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ayatollah Ebrahim Raisi. I very much look forward to visiting your country again and to personally meet with Your Excellency in the not too distant future.

permit me to conclude by reiterating my sincerest congratulations on your appointment and to wish you great success in your new responsibilities.

Please accept, Excellency, the assurances of my highest congratulation and esteem.

Haitham Al Ghais

Secretarty General