Last Update: April 15, 2023, 00:23 AM IST
The UN-brokered deal saw the resumption of Ukraine’s Black Sea grain exports, which had been halted by Russia’s February 24, 2022 invasion. (Image: Reuters file)
The UN has said no ships were inspected on Tuesday under the deal – agreed in July last year
A UN spokesman said on Friday that Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has written to Russia, Ukraine and Turkey to raise concerns about the implementation of a deal that allows safe wartime exports of grain from several Black Sea ports in Ukraine. gives.
The UN has said no ships were inspected on Tuesday under the deal – agreed in July last year – “because the parties needed more time to reach an agreement on operational priorities.” Checked again on Wednesday.
“The Secretary-General has written letters to the parties and we are working closely with Turkey to keep the important agreement going,” UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters.
The agreement was reached by the United Nations and Turkey to help deal with the global food crisis, which UN officials said had worsened to the deadliest war in Europe since World War II. The deal restarted Ukraine’s Black Sea grain exports, which had been halted by Russia’s February 24, 2022 invasion.
All vessels in waters near Turkey are inspected by officials from Russia, Ukraine, Turkey and the United Nations on their way in and out of Ukraine. The United Nations said dozens of ships were awaiting inspection before heading to Ukraine.
Dujarric said, “There are different views … on the ships to be registered and inspected in the coming days,” adding that there is “active discussion” on the issue within the Joint Coordination Center in Istanbul, which is represented by the Russian, Ukrainian, Turkish and United Nations officials.
Dujarric said two inbound and two outbound vessels were inspected on Friday.
“Until recently, new ships were presented by Ukrainian port authorities and agreed upon by all parties for registration and follow-up inspections,” he said. “This practice was established in line with Ukraine’s role in managing its port activities.”
“We support the implementation of agreed procedures and we can facilitate discussion on any proposed changes,” Dujarric said. “However, any changes must be agreed upon by all parties within the framework of the Joint Coordination Center.”
Inbound inspections had become less efficient as Russia began insisting on a random list of ships being selected for inspection each day, a source familiar with the situation said earlier this week.
Last month, Russia agreed to renew a grain export deal for at least 60 days, half the term, and Moscow has said it would only consider a further extension if its own exports Many demands were met.
Russia’s Foreign Ministry said on Thursday that “there is no need to talk about further expansion of the Black Sea Initiative after May 18” until it resolves “systemic problems” with its own food and fertilizer exports. There should be no progress in the direction of
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(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed)
