Abuse of humanitarian corridor within the framework of Istanbul agreements on the export of Ukrainian food products and normalization of Russian agricultural exports cannot be ignored, especially considering the terrorist attack on the Crimean bridge. This was stated in a report of the Russian Foreign Ministry on the implementation of these agreements, which was distributed on Friday.
The ministry noted that despite the distortions in the implementation of the Istanbul agreements, Russian representatives in the Joint Coordination Center (JCC) continue to work in good faith in the interests of implementing the operation for the export of Ukrainian food by the Black Sea. "If it took three weeks to transport the first million tons, now it takes just over a week to ship this volume. Such high speed and efficiency is largely achieved due to the maximum workload of our specialists," - explained in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. - "For example, during examination of one of the vessels, three members of the Russian inspection group were severely poisoned by smoke used for treatment of grain prior to transportation because of violations of the mandatory ventilation requirements".
"In addition, a large concentration of ships is artificially created in the port of Istanbul in order to put pressure on our experts, seeking to weaken controls and speed up cargo inspection procedures. During the "Black Sea initiative" more than 70 ships were detained and some were even suspended for systematic violations related to non-compliance with the rules of navigation in the sea corridor and attempts of smuggling in specially equipped caches," the diplomatic mission said. - "Such abuses of the humanitarian corridor cannot be ignored, especially taking into account the ongoing investigation of ways of delivering explosives for the terrorist attack on the Crimean bridge on October 8.
Geography of recipients
The department recalled that as part of the implementation of the "Black Sea initiative" on the export of Ukrainian grain, already on July 27 was launched JCC in Istanbul, and on August 1, in accordance with the agreed procedures of inspection and control, the first dry cargo left the port of Odessa. "In total, according to the UN (as of October 26), the humanitarian corridor in the Black Sea was able to use 390 ships, which exported about 8.9 million tons of food (mainly corn - 41%) from the ports of Odessa, Southern and Black Sea," the report said.
At the same time, the Foreign Ministry pointed out that the geography of recipients of these goods did not correspond to the initially stated humanitarian purposes. "Half of all shipments are to the European Union and developed countries such as the United Kingdom, Israel and South Korea. And needy states such as Somalia, Ethiopia, Yemen, Sudan, and Afghanistan received only 3 percent of the food, primarily from the World Food Program (WFP). In this connection, the UN leaders even reclassified the initiative from humanitarian to commercial, emphasizing the importance of stabilizing world food prices," said in a statement of the Russian diplomatic mission.
Contrast within the deal
The Foreign Ministry pointed to the need to take into account that the share of Russian agricultural products in the structure of world markets is not less than that of Ukrainian products. "Until the end of the year we are ready to export about 30 million tons of grains, including, first of all, wheat, and to increase this figure to 50 million tons, taking into account the harvest. About 10.5 million tons of grain (77% wheat) have already been shipped to Asia (62%) and Africa (33%)," added in the department. - "The contrast, as they say, is obvious - while Ukrainian cargoes go along the humanitarian corridor to Europe and developed countries, Russian supplies go to those in need in Africa and Asia".
In addition, unlike Ukraine, the ministry stressed, the Russian Federation is one of the world's leading exporters of fertilizers, without which not only the countries that consume food, but also the countries involved in its production would be at risk of starvation. "However, Russian companies still cannot not only make commercial deliveries of fertilizers, but even transfer about 300 thousand tons of products to the poorest countries. And to do so free of charge. These fertilizers remain blocked, mainly in warehouses in Latvia (80%), as well as Estonia, Belgium and the Netherlands, whose leadership does not allow sending them through the UNWFP," added in the diplomatic mission.
They pointed out that the main reason for this situation is unilateral Western sanctions, the negative effect of which should have been neutralized as part of efforts to implement the second Istanbul document - the Russian-UN Memorandum on normalization of domestic agricultural exports.
"Despite the declarations made in Washington and Brussels about the exemption of food and fertilizers from restrictions, Russian suppliers and producers continue to face problems in making bank payments and arranging insurance, chartering ships and gaining access to ports. In reality, the announced exemptions are still not working. The Americans and Europeans are essentially punishing countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America by preventing Russian agricultural products and fertilizers from reaching world markets," the Foreign Ministry concluded.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Russian Foreign Ministry
Based on materials from TASS