Turkey, Ukraine, Russia, and UN agreed to set up a coordination center for grain exports
Turkey has announced a deal with Ukraine, Russia, and the UN aimed at resuming Ukrainian grain exports blocked by Russia, raising prospects for an end to a standoff that has exposed millions to the risk of starvation, Guardian reports.
Turkey’s Defence Minister, Hulusi Akar, said on July 13, 2022, that the deal would be signed when the parties meet again next week and would include joint controls for checking grains in ports and Turkey ensuring the safety of Black Sea export routes for Ukrainian grain.
Turkey would also set up a coordination center with Ukraine, Russia, and the UN for grain exports, Akar said. Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, Andriy Yermak, wrote on Twitter: “Its task will be to carry out general monitoring and coordination of safe navigation in the Black Sea.”
The UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, said a “critical step forward” had been made toward reviving Ukrainian grain exports.
“A ray of hope in a world darkened by crises. Today in Istanbul, we have seen a major step forward to ensure the export of Ukrainian food products through the Black Sea. I salute the commitment of all those working to secure an agreement for our common humanity,” said Guterres on Twitter.
