"SOCAR supports OPEC initiative to freeze oil production (levels). Certain steps are already being made," he said in an interview. 

   

OPEC leader Saudi Arabia and non-OPEC Russia, the world's two largest oil exporters, agreed last month to freeze output at January levels to prop up prices if other nations agreed to join the first global oil pact in 15 years. 

   

Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak said on Friday he ex-Soviet oil producers Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan would join talks with OPEC about stabilising oil markets.