Istanbul grain deal one of UN's greatest achievements: Turkish president

By Diyar Guldogan

ANKARA (AA) – The Istanbul deal to resume Ukrainian grain exports has been one of the UN’s greatest achievements in recent years, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Tuesday.

“As a result of our intense efforts with UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, we have ensured that Ukrainian grain reaches the world via the Black Sea,” Erdogan said in his address at the 77th session of the UN General Assembly in New York.

“This agreement, which is of critical importance in maintaining global grain supplies, is one of the greatest achievements of the UN in recent years.”

Türkiye, the UN, Russia and Ukraine signed an agreement in Istanbul on July 22 to restart grain exports from three Ukrainian Black Sea ports, which were paused after the Russia-Ukraine war began in February.

A Joint Coordination Center with officials from the three countries and the UN was set up in Istanbul to oversee the shipments.

Since the first vessel sailed under the deal on Aug. 1, more than 160 ships have carried over 3 million tons of agricultural products through the grain corridor.

Erdogan emphasized that Türkiye will continue its efforts to end the war with an agreement “based on Ukraine’s territorial integrity and independence.”

“Together, we need to find a reasonable, fair and viable diplomatic solution that will give both sides an honorable exit from the crisis,” he said.

He called on the international community to “sincerely support” Türkiye’s efforts for a lasting peace between Moscow and Kyiv.

“It is imperative that we structure the UN as an organization that can generate solutions for a fairer world order, and where common will is embodied on behalf of all humanity,” Erdogan said. ​​​​​​​