Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Wednesday that the grain deal has been extended for 60 days.
"I would like to bring good news to the world. You know about the Black Sea grain corridor agreement, which was initiated by the intensive efforts of our country and me personally. The last extension period of the agreement, which was signed in Istanbul thanks to the leadership of Turkey, the constructive position of Russia and Ukraine and the assistance of the United Nations, expired [May 18]. It was decided to extend the agreement on the Black Sea grain corridor for two more months. I wish that this decision will be beneficial for all parties. We will continue our efforts in the future, fulfilling all the conditions of the agreement. Our Russian friends have stated that they will not prevent Turkish vessels from leaving the ports [of Ukraine]. We are grateful to them for this," the Turkish leader stressed.
Erdogan expressed gratitude to Russian President Vladimir Putin, Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres for their efforts on the extension of the grain deal. "I convey my gratitude to the president of Russia, my dear friend [Vladimir] Putin, for the sincere support he has given us in this process [of extending the grain deal]. To President of Ukraine Mr. [Vladimir] Zelensky, I convey my gratitude for the constructive cooperation. And I thank UN Secretary-General Mr. [Antonio] Guterres for his efforts in this process," Erdogan said.
The extension of the grain deal was made possible thanks to the constructive approaches of Russia and Ukraine, the Turkish president said.
GSV "Russia - Islamic world"
Photo: official website of the President of the Russian Federation
Based on materials from TASS