Petroleum prices grow on a background of reliance that OPEK countries are not ready to increase production in the nearest months

/IRBIS, Feb. 24, 00/ - ITAR TASS informs that petroleum prices continue to grow on a background of reliance that OPEK countries are not ready to increase production in the nearest months. So, on Wednesday price of Brent petroleum barrel with April delivery increased on the London International petroleum exchange by 52 cents to 27.10 dollars. There are an impression that OPEK countries are prepared now only for "symbolical " production expansion". This impression has strengthened after receiving the reports about holding in Er-Riad meeting of the ministers of six OPEC countries of Persian Gulf. Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, U.A.E., Qatar, Oman and Bahrain have announced that they are going to increase production. However they especially have noted, that it is necessary to maintain petroleum prices. The minister of petroleum and mineral resources of U.A.E. has emphasized that the possible increase in OPEK petroleum production "will be much less, than the market hopes". He has rejected "not realistic" rumors about increase by 2 - 3 million barrels. OPEK is going to keep the prices at the level of 20 - 25 dollars for barrel.