Türkiye supports extending Black Sea grain deal – defence minister

Türkiye hopes that the Black Sea grain deal, which is ready to run out on March 18, can be prolonged, the nation’s defence minister mentioned.

“Both sides (Russia and Ukraine) have a positive attitude and we believe that it will be extended,” Hulusi Akar advised Anadolu’s Editors’ Desk which gathered within the quake-hit southern Hatay province on Sunday. 

He reiterated Türkiye’s efforts to make sure that the landmark Istanbul deal continues to be applied and mentioned almost 24 million tons of grain delivered to these in want through the deal.

Last July, Türkiye, the UN, Russia, and Ukraine signed an settlement in Istanbul to renew grain exports from three Ukrainian Black Sea ports which had been paused after the Russia-Ukraine warfare started in February 2022.

Thanks to Turkish efforts, the grain deal was prolonged for an additional 120 days, beginning on November 19.

READ MORE: Türkiye continues to have interaction with stakeholders for grain deal extension

Voluntarily return of Syrians

Akar mentioned round 56,000 Syrians in Türkiye have returned to their house nation throughout the border for the reason that February 6 earthquakes, which had been centered in Türkiye’s southern area and precipitated devastation in northern Syria.

He additionally rebuffed claims that there was an inflow of Syrian refugees to Türkiye through its southern border. Many Syrian residents residing in Türkiye are returning to their house nation as a result of lack of their houses and kinfolk.

More than 47,900 individuals had been killed in Türkiye by the magnitude 7.7 and seven.6 quakes, in accordance with official figures.

Over 13.5 million individuals in Türkiye have been affected by the highly effective tremors that rocked 11 provinces – Kahramanmaras, Hatay, Gaziantep, Adiyaman, Malatya, Adana, Diyarbakir, Kilis, Osmaniye, Sanliurfa, and Elazig.

READ MORE: Thousands of Syrians in Türkiye return house voluntarily after quakes

Source: AA