Turkey wants to extend “grain deal” for 120 days

UkrAgroConsult

Turkey will continue negotiations to extend the agreement allowing grain shipments from Ukraine’s Black Sea ports for 120 days instead of 60. This was announced on Wednesday by Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar.

“We have started negotiations in accordance with the original version of the agreement. The extension of the agreement is important. We will continue our contacts (to extend it for) 120 days instead of two months,” Akar said.

The parties to the agreement will evaluate and decide on the further extension of the agreement, Akar said, adding that Ankara hopes for a positive outcome.

Since the signing of the UN-backed Black Sea Grain Initiative in Turkey on July 22, millions of tons of grain and other food products have been exported from Ukrainian ports, helping to bring down world food prices from record highs.

During the negotiations, Russia proposed to extend the agreement for 60 days, which is half the previous term, but Ukraine rejected the proposal.

As a reminder, UN Secretary-General’s spokesman Stephane Dujarric said that the organization is doing everything possible to extend the grain deal, which expires on March 18.

The so-called “grain deal” was first concluded through the mediation of the UN and Turkey in July last year for a period of 120 days. It allowed the transportation of Ukrainian agricultural goods across the Black Sea to the world market. In November, the agreement was extended for another 120 days.

Tags: export, grain, Ukraine, Russia, Turkey