Oil producers to keep output freeze talks on standby if prices weaken

Dubai

RUSSIAN energy minister Alexander Novak has a contrarian message for those who question the wisdom of freezing global levels of oil output.

Despite the collapse of talks on restraining production among Opec and non-Opec members earlier this year, he thinks the discussions were a success that might soon be repeated.

"It (the build-up to the meeting) paved the way for a reversal of negative trends in the oil markets," he told reporters…