Türkiye working hard to extend ‘grain deal’ – Çavuşoğlu

The Republic of Türkiye is working hard to extend the Black Sea grain deal, allowing Ukraine to export grain via the Ukrainian ports, which had been blockaded by Russia following its invasion.

The relevant statement was made by Turkish Foreign Affairs Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu during his speech at the United Nations Conference on Least Developed Countries being held in Doha, Qatar, an Ukrinform correspondent reports, referring to Reuters.

“We are working hard for the smooth implementation and further extension of the Black Sea grain deal,” Çavuşoğlu said.

In particular, Çavuşoğlu discussed the extension efforts with U.N. Secretary General António Guterres.

The Black Sea Grain Initiative brokered by the United Nations and Türkiye last July allowed grain to be exported from three Ukrainian ports. The agreement was extended in November 2022 and will expire on March 18, 2023 unless an extension is agreed.

On Wednesday, Russia said it would only agree to extend the Black Sea grain deal if the interests of its own agricultural producers are taken into account.