U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres thanked Türkiye for contributions to the extension of the Black Sea Grain Initiative for guaranteeing world meals safety.
“We have some positive and significant developments… The confirmation by the Russian Federation to continue its participation in the Black Sea Initiative for another 60 days. I welcome this decision,” Guterres mentioned at a news convention.
His remarks got here hours after Erdoğan introduced the deal, which was set to run out May 18, was prolonged for 2 months.
“With the efforts of our country, the support of our Russian friends, and the contributions of our Ukrainian friends, it was decided to extend the Black Sea grain corridor agreement for another two months,” Erdoğan mentioned in an tackle to his Justice and Development Party’s (AK Party) provincial heads, deputies and mayors by way of video hyperlink.
Guterres mentioned the continuation is sweet news for the world however excellent points stay.
“I once again express my gratitude to President Erdogan and the government of Türkiye for their efforts working in permanent coordination with the United Nations,” mentioned the U.N. chief.
Türkiye, the U.N., Russia and Ukraine initially signed the settlement in Istanbul final July to renew grain exports from three Ukrainian Black Sea ports, which had been halted after the Russia-Ukraine conflict started in February 2022.
A Joint Coordination Center with officers from the three nations and the UN was arrange in Istanbul to supervise the shipments.
Red Cross hails extension of deal
The extension of the Black Sea grain deal is a “lifeline” for many who are scuffling with meals shortage, and monetary instability, the president of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) mentioned on Wednesday.
“The extension of the Black Sea grain deal is a lifeline for families across the world who are already struggling with persistent inflation, food scarcity, and financial instability,” Spoljaric mentioned in a press release. “This is especially true for communities affected by armed conflict and violence.”
She mentioned that costs for fundamental merchandise have elevated by 99% in South Sudan, 88% in Syria, 80% in Sudan, 62% in Ethiopia, and 54% in Myanmar over the previous 12 months.
“It is crucial that all efforts are made to reach agreements that enable grain exports from Russia and Ukraine, which millions of people around the world rely on,” she added.
Earlier on Wednesday, Russia and Ukraine confirmed the extension of the deal.
“We confirm the announcement by the Turkish President (Recep Tayyip Erdoğan) that the Black Sea Initiative will be extended by two months,” mentioned Maria Zakharova, spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry mentioned.
“This creates an opportunity to ensure global food security not just with words but with deeds, primarily for countries that need it most.”
Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Olexandr Kubrakov additionally confirmed that the grain hall would stay open till at the very least July 18.
“We welcome the extension of the work of the initiative, but we emphasize that it must work effectively,” Kubrakov wrote on Facebook. He mentioned that just about 70 ships are at the moment ready in Turkish waters for a allow.
Russia has additionally complained about elements of the deal and beforehand threatened to drag out of the settlement. Zakharova on Wednesday mentioned that any discrepancies within the implementation of the grain settlement must be resolved “as soon as possible.”
The breakthrough accord was brokered by the U.N. and Türkiye with the warring sides final summer season to assist deal with a worldwide meals disaster aggravated by Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine, one of many world’s main grain exporters. The pact got here with a separate settlement to ease shipments of Russian meals and fertilizer that Moscow insists hasn’t been utilized.
U.N. officers and analysts warned {that a} failure to increase the Black Sea Grain Initiative may harm nations in Africa, the Middle East and components of Asia that depend on Ukrainian wheat, barley, vegetable oil and different inexpensive meals merchandise, particularly as drought takes a toll. The deal helped decrease costs of meals commodities like wheat during the last 12 months, however that aid has not reached kitchen tables.
Source: www.dailysabah.com
