The renewal of the so-called “grain agreement”whose last term expires on May 18, will be negotiated by the Vice Ministers of Defense of Russia, Ukraine and Türkiye at a meeting in Istanbul this Friday.
This was announced this Wednesday by the Turkish Defense Minister, Hulusi Akaradvancing that “the parties expect” to be achieved extend the term of the agreement that allows the export of cereals and other agricultural products for a safe corridor in the Black Sea.
“Our hope is that the grain agreement will continue without any interruptionbecause this agreement is very important for countries in need, as well as for regional peace and stability,” Akar was quoted as saying by the Turkish state agency. anadolu.
“As a result of the acceptance of our proposal by both parties, the deputy defense ministers of Turkey, Ukraine and Russia are scheduled to meet in Istanbul on Friday May 5. Some issues will be discussed at the meeting, especially the cereals initiative”, he highlighted.
“In this context, we can say that the parties expect the term to be extended. Our desire is to extend this initiative without problems”, insisted the minister.
The “Black Sea Grains Initiative” was originally sealed in July last year by Ukraine and Russia with the support of Türkiye and United Nations for a period of 120 days renewable for the same period if not abandoned by either party.
On March 18, Moscow agreed to extend the pact, but only for 60 days, and has threatened not to extend it any further if progress is not made to facilitate the flow of Russian fertilizers and food onto international markets.
Russia denounces that these exports, the facilitation of which was agreed with the United Nations in parallel to the agreement to release Ukrainian grain, are facing difficulties, above all due to the collateral effects of the sanctions that the West has imposed on it for its aggression against Ukraine.
The Kremlin demands the reconnection of the bank rosselkhozbank to the SWIFT financial communications system, the resumption of supplies of agricultural machinery, as well as spare parts and services for it, and the elimination of restrictions in matters of insurance and free access to ports.
It also requests the commissioning of the ammonia pipeline Togliatti-Odesaparalyzed since the beginning of the Russian military campaign in Ukraine, and the unblocking of foreign accounts and assets of Russian companies linked to the production and transportation of food and fertilizers.
(With information from EFE)
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Source-www.infobae.com