ANKARA (Rifyu.com) – Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced that the Black Sea Grain Deal, which was due to expire on Sunday, was extended to 120 days.
“As a result of our negotiations with both sides, we have confirmed the extension of the agreement period ending on March 19,” Erdogan said at a ceremony in Canakkale province on Saturday (18/3).
Erdogan thanked Russia, Ukraine and United Nations (UN) Secretary General Antonio Guterres for their efforts to once again extend the term of the agreement.
“This agreement, which has facilitated the shipment of 25 million tons of grain to world markets by more than 800 ships to date, is very important for the stability of global food supplies,” Erdogan said.
Ukraine’s Infrastructure Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov said the deal was being extended by another 120 days.
“Thanks to Antonio Guterres, President Erdogan, (Turkish National Defense) Minister Hulusi Akar and all our partners for adhering to the agreement. With our joint efforts, 25 million tonnes of Ukrainian grain were delivered to world markets,” he wrote on Twitter. .
Last July, Turkey, the United Nations, Russia and Ukraine signed a deal in Istanbul to resume grain exports from three Ukrainian ports on the Black Sea.
Grain exports from the port were temporarily halted after the Russian-Ukrainian war erupted in February 2022.
Meanwhile, the United Nations said in a statement that 25 million metric tonnes of grain and foodstuffs shipped to 45 countries helped lower global food prices.
“We thank the Government of Turkey for its diplomatic and operational support for the Black Sea Grain Initiative,” the UN said.
“The Black Sea Grain Initiative, along with the memorandum of understanding to promote Russian food and fertilizer products to world markets, is essential for global food security, especially for developing countries,” the UN said, adding.
The United Nations said it remains firmly committed to both agreements and urged all parties to redouble their efforts to fully implement the deals.
Later, however, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told the TASS news agency that the deal had been extended for 60 days.
“We–both the Russian Foreign Ministry and Russia’s permanent representative to the United Nations–have repeatedly stated that the Russian side has informed all parties to the agreement that they are extending the agreement for another 60 days. All parties have been informed of this verbally and in writing through a special note,” said Zakharova.
Source: Anadolu
Also read: Russia says its agricultural exports are hindered by Western sanctions
Also read: UN: Consultations for grain deal extension continue
Translator: Yashinta Difa Pramudyani
Editor: M Razi Rahman
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source: www.antaranews.com
