By KYIV. May 9 (Interfax-Ukraine) – Bilateral and multilateral meetings with Ukraine, the UN and Russia on the work of the “grain corridor” organized by Turkey, will be held in Istanbul on May 10 and 11, the Turkish Defense Ministry said in a statement on Tuesday.
“The negotiations will discuss the extension of the ‘grain deal’ to ensure the rapid, safe and efficient operation of the ‘grain corridor’ which is vital for the world’s food supply and security and to prevent damage to countries in need by ensuring the stability of food prices,” the ministry said.
According to it, the participants will also discuss the issues of drawing up a detailed and safe evacuation plan for the return of Turkish merchant ships and their crews stuck in Ukrainian ports due to the war.
The Black Sea Grain Initiative to create a corridor for the export of grain from three Ukrainian ports, Chornomorsk, Odesa and Pivdenny, was concluded on July 22, 2022 in Istanbul with the participation of the UN, Ukraine, Turkey and Russia for 120 days. It was extended twice, the last time on March 18. However, if Ukraine declares that the initiative has been extended for 120 days, then Russia that only for 60.
Some 51 vessels with 670,000 tonnes of various cargoes, including grain, and about 230 crew members remain blocked in the ports of Ukraine, the Ukrainian Sea Ports Authority (USPA) told earlier to Interfax-Ukraine. However, some 30 ships are blocked in the ports of Mykolaiv region, eight of which carry over 165,000 tonnes of agricultural products.
“The Ukrainian side has repeatedly stressed the need to expand the Black Sea Grain Initiative to include the ports of Mykolaiv region. This will significantly increase the volume of Ukrainian food exports to needy countries of the world,” the USPA said.
