contract extension
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko told reporters that the grain agreement has been extended for 60 days.
“Our Deputy Minister (Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Vershinin – socialbites.ca), who spearheaded this agreement, made a statement yesterday. As a matter of fact, the agreement was extended, it was decided to extend it for 60 days. Grushko reaffirmed the packaging character,” he said.
At the same time, he noted that Moscow will try to fulfill the obligations given under the agreement to lift sanctions on the supply of agricultural products to international markets of the Russian Federation.
“We are only talking about the possibility of transportation, the access of our ships to foreign ports (as well as) insurance and the need to solve problems directly related to the production and cultivation of grain in our country. These include related technologies, spare parts, various agricultural equipment, etc.
According to him, the process of removing restrictions on exports from Russia continues “but very slowly” – until now, fertilizers from the Russian Federation are in the ports of many countries, where the country is “ready to supply them to the poorest countries.” free.”
“Artificial barriers, delays are created,” stressed Grushko.
He added that the UN process is progressing “extremely slowly” and cannot satisfy the Russian side neither in terms of the results achieved on this path today nor in terms of its obligations to the UN. the signing of this Istanbul package”.
At a briefing, Russian President’s Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov described the extension of the groceries deal as a gesture of goodwill on behalf of Russia. He explained that the extension period of the agreement was reduced from 120 days to 60 days, with the second part of the agreement on the lifting of sanctions of the Russian Federation on agricultural products not yet completed.
“We appreciate the UN’s efforts, but Guterres (UN Secretary-General – socialbites.ca) failed to break through the blank wall. In general, the deal cannot stand on one leg. This is a kind of goodwill gesture by the Russian Federation, in the hope that after a long time all obligations undertaken by the parties will be fulfilled,” he said.
According to him, Moscow hopes that restrictions on the export of Russian agricultural products and fertilizers to world markets will be lifted – contacts on this issue continue.
Reaction to the extension of the agreement
The signing of multilateral agreements on the lifting of restrictions on the export supply of Russian products and on Russian assistance to Ukrainian grain exports took place on July 22, 2022 in Istanbul. Later the documents were signed by Russia, Turkey, Ukraine and the UN.
The agreement stipulated that the UN would participate in the lifting of restrictions on the export of agricultural products and fertilizers from the Russian Federation. In addition, the parties to the agreement guaranteed the export of Ukrainian agricultural products from the Kiev-controlled ports of Odessa, Chernomorsk and Yuzhny. At the same time, Ukraine has committed to ensuring security and demining in its territorial waters. The agreement was signed for 120 days and was extended three months later for the same period.
In addition, the quad center established by Russia, Turkey, Ukraine and the UN was put into operation in Istanbul to inspect grain ships in order to prevent arms smuggling and provocations.
Ukraine’s Minister of Infrastructure Oleksandr Kubrakov strongly condemned the extension of the agreement by 60 days instead of 120 days.
The Black Sea Grain Initiative agreement stipulates an extension of at least 120 days, so Russia’s stance on extending the agreement by only 60 days contradicts the document signed by Turkey and the UN.
The Minister said that Kiev is waiting for the reaction of Turkey and the UN.
The UN reported that they took note of “Moscow’s statement today regarding the 60-day extension of the Black Sea grain initiative”. The Turkish Ministry of National Defense also stated that they highly appreciated the steps of the parties to extend the agreement.
“We highly appreciate the steps taken by the parties to expand this initiative. However, in line with the instructions of the President of the Republic of Turkey, the minister continues to meet and coordinate with his interlocutors and relevant authorities in order to continue the activities of the grain initiative, which has been successfully carried out in coordination until today. ,” he says in a statement posted on the military offices’ website.
The Ministry relies on the importance of maintaining the implementation of the agreement and also believes that it has a positive impact on humanity and proves that all crises can be resolved through goodwill and dialogue.
The Turkish Ministry of Defense has pledged that Ankara will continue to contribute to peace and humanitarian aid.
Source: Gazeta
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