"Grain Corridor" resumed work before the meetings regarding its continuation

Yesterday, May 9, the Joint Coordination Center resumed inspections of vessels heading from Ukraine with agricultural products within the framework of the Black Sea Grain Initiative. As reported by a number of mass media with reference to Turkish media, this became known from representatives of the Ministry of Defense of Turkey.

Reports say that, as a result of Turkey's initiatives, inspections of vessels under the grain agreement have resumed. Earlier, the Joint Coordination Center in Istanbul stated that on May 8 and 9, inspections of the courts as part of the grain initiative were apparently not carried out.

We would like to remind you that bilateral and multilateral meetings with Ukraine, Russia and the UN will be held in Istanbul on May 10-11. As reported by the Ministry of Defense of Turkey, the issue of the continuation of the "grain agreement", the term of which expires on May 18, will be brought up for negotiations.

"The creation of a detailed and safe evacuation plan for the return of our merchant ships and their crews stuck in Ukrainian ports due to conflict circumstances will be discussed," the statement said.

It is also known that the official representative of the President of Turkey, Ibrahim Kalin, assessed the chances of extending the grain agreement after May 18. According to him, "certain steps are being taken" for this.

We will remind, on Friday, May 5, technical negotiations regarding the Black Sea Grain Initiative took place in Turkey. However, the participants were unable to reach an agreement on the admission of new vessels for the transportation of grain from Ukraine. This was announced by the Deputy Spokesman of the UN Secretary General, Farhan Haq, during the briefing.

According to him, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterrish announced to all three parties - Ukraine, Turkey and Russia - his proposals for further actions aimed at improving, extending and expanding the grain agreement, taking into account the wishes of the parties.