A technical meeting on the Black Sea grain corridor will be held today, with the main negotiations to take place next week

UkrAgroConsult

On May 5, a technical meeting on the grain corridor will be held with the participation of representatives of the UN, Turkey, Russia and Ukraine, and a meeting at the level of deputy ministers is expected next week, Turkish National Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said, Anadolu Agency reports.

“Before the meeting of deputy ministers, there was a need to hold a meeting with the participation of technical personnel from the UN, Turkey, Russia and Ukraine. This meeting will take place on May 5. This meeting will be followed by a meeting at the deputy ministerial level next week,” Akar said.

“Turkey is continuing its efforts to ensure that the grain initiative continues quickly, safely and smoothly,” the Turkish Defense Minister emphasized.

According to Akar, on the one hand, grain supplies are being discussed, but on the other hand, Turkish-flagged vessels remain in Ukrainian ports. “The evacuation of these vessels will also be on the agenda. We will work together to create an agenda, and this agenda will be discussed at the level of deputy ministers, and a decision will be made later,” he said.

Asked about his assessment of whether the grain initiative will be continued, Akar said: “We have the impression from the meetings and negotiations that these efforts will lead to a positive result. We are working for this, we are trying to make it happen.”

The deal, brokered by the UN and Turkey last July, allows for the safe export of grain stuck in ports due to the Russian invasion via the Black Sea.

Russia had previously claimed a “deadlock” on extending the agreement after May 18, as a list of its demands to facilitate the export of its own grain and fertilizers had not been met.

Tags: Black Sea grain corridor