On October 16, Minister of Infrastructure of Ukraine Oleksandr Kubrakov met with Minister of Defense of Turkey Hulusi Akar in Istanbul. The main topic of the talks was “Grain Initiative”.

Ukraine and Turkey support the extension of the agreement on grain exports. It expires November 22.

Ukraine and Turkey want to extend the term of the agreement on grain export

Kubrakov said that on October 16 he discussed the implementation of the Grain Initiative with Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar.

Since the start and today, more than 7.7 million tons of agricultural products have already been exported, which has already stabilized food prices and counteracts the threat of global hunger,” the minister noted.

He added that the parties to the agreement – the UN, Turkey and Ukraine – have already expressed their readiness to continue its operation and assured that they will make every effort for its successful implementation.

“Currently, there is no doubt that the work “grain corridor” will be continued after November 22,” Kubrakov said.

He thanked for the support:

• colleagues of the United Nations, in particular Amir Abdulli, coordinator from the UN
• to the Ukrainian team working at the Joint Focal Point in Istanbul
• Turkish side and directly to Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar for effective cooperation.

Ukraine and Turkey want to continue the “Grain Initiative”/Photo by the Ministry of Infrastructure

In addition, during the meeting, the Ukrainian delegation noted the importance of speeding up the process of inspecting ships. Indeed, thanks to this, it will be possible to significantly increase the volume of grain exports to the states of Africa, Asia and Europe, as well as prevent the formation of queues for inspections.

According to Interfax-Ukraine, the UN coordinator for the Black Sea Grain Initiative Amir Mahmoud Abdullah also hopes that the agreement will be expanded and extended.

“Based on the signals I'm getting, the deal will not only be extended, but possibly expanded,” Abdullah said.< /p> Pay attention! In Istanbul on July 22, a document was signed on the creation of a corridor for the export of grain from three Ukrainian ports – Chornomorsk, Odessa and Yuzhny. The agreement is valid until November 22, 2022.