Guterres welcomes extension of Black Sea Grains initiative

WORLD, May 18 (YPA) – UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed hope for an agreement on improving and expanding the Black Sea Grains initiative, welcoming the extension of the grain deal for an additional two months.

“We have some positive and significant developments… The confirmation by the Russian Federation to continue its participation in the Black Sea Initiative for another 60 days. I welcome this decision,” Guterres said at a news conference.

Mr. Guterres said the continuation was “good news for the world” although outstanding issues remain to be resolved.

“But representatives of Russia, Ukraine, Turkiye and the United Nations will keep discussing them – I hope we will reach a comprehensive agreement to improve, expand and extend the Initiative – as I proposed in a recent letter to the Presidents of the three countries.”

Mr. Guterres conveyed his appreciation to all the parties involved in the negotiations for continuing the deal, for proceeding “in a spirit of constructive engagement.”

Earlier on Wednesday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced that all parties involved had reached an agreement to extend the export of grain as part of the “grain deal” for an additional two months.

For her part, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova confirmed Moscow’s agreement to extend the “Black Sea Grains” initiative for an additional two months, stressing the need to solve obstacles in the implementation of the initiative.

“We confirm the Turkish President’s announcement of the extension of the Black Sea Initiative for an additional two months. This provides an opportunity not in words, but in deeds, to help ensure global food security.”

E.M