UN Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric made a written statement on the subject.
In the statement, it was stated that Guterres focused on the continuation of the agreement, and it was pointed out that the full implementation of the agreement is important for the global market.
Pointing out that the memorandum of understanding between Russia and the UN was effective in reducing global food prices, the statement said, “The Secretary-General is grateful to Turkey, which strives for the same goal.”
Letter from Guterres to Putin
In the statement, which was announced that the Secretary General sent a letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin, the evaluation was made, “In the letter, the importance of the continuation of the Black Sea Grain Corridor Agreement with a proposal to advance the memorandum of understanding between Russia and the UN was conveyed.”
In the statement, it was stated that it was aimed to remove the obstacles affecting the financial transactions in the Russian Agricultural Bank, and it was pointed out that the transportation of Ukrainian grain from the Black Sea should continue.
In the statement, it was noted that the Secretary General will continue to emphasize the importance of the agreement for global food security.
“The main concern of the Secretary-General is the people who are in distress in the world. If the agreements are not implemented, the increase in global food and fertilizer prices will cause the most losses to them,” the statement said, adding that Guterres will maintain contact with all parties.
In the statement, it was stated that the Secretary General will remain in contact with Russia regarding his proposal.
Black Sea Grain Corridor Agreement
In order to reduce the impact of Russia’s attack on Ukraine on global food prices, the UN, Russia, Turkey and Ukraine signed the Black Sea Grain Corridor Agreement with a ceremony held in Istanbul on July 22, 2022.
The agreement, which has been extended several times before, will expire on July 17. Russian officials say they see no possibility of extending the agreement.
In its statement on July 4, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, “Out of the 262,000 tons of Russian fertilizer planned to be donated to countries in need since September 2022, only two batches have been shipped. 20,000 tons of the fertilizer was sent to Malawi and 34 thousand tons to Kenya. , continues to remain silent on these issues. In the West, it is reported that the sanctions against Russia cannot be eased even on food and fertilizer. Under these conditions, there is no reason to continue the agreement, which will expire on July 17, “he said.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, on the other hand, said in a statement on July 10 that the part of the Black Sea Grain Corridor Agreement regarding his country was not implemented despite all the efforts of the UN.
Arguing that the Ukraine-related part of the agreement has turned into a commercial project, Lavrov stated that less than 3 percent of the total volume of grain exported from Ukrainian ports goes to the poorest and most destitute countries on the World Food Organization list.