Türkiye continuing talks with UN, Ukraine, Russia to extend grain deal

By Sarp Ozer

ANKARA (AA) - Türkiye is making efforts to extend the Black Sea Grain Initiative which is set to expire on March 18, the country's national defense minister said Thursday.

The deal ensures a safe passage of grains and other essential items through Ukraine's Black Sea ports preventing a global food crisis.

National Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said so far, at least 790 grain-loaded ships left Ukrainian ports carrying nearly 23.5 million tons of grains.

Last July, Türkiye, the UN, Russia, and Ukraine signed an agreement in Istanbul to resume grain exports from three Ukrainian Black Sea ports which were paused after the Russia-Ukraine war began in February 2022.

"We continue our negotiations with the UN, Ukraine and Russia, which are the parties to the grain initiative. Ukraine expressed a positive opinion on a second extension of the initiative. Similarly, Russia has a positive attitude towards the extension of the initiative. We also hope and expect that the grain initiative will continue with the contribution of all parties. We continue our efforts in this direction," Akar said.