An agreement regulating the export of grain and fertilizers from Russia and Ukraine is in Lebanon's interests. Acting Minister of Agriculture Abbas Al Hajj Hassan told TASS on Thursday, commenting on the 60-day extension of the grain deal.
"The agreements reached concern us because we buy such a strategic product as wheat abroad, including Russia," he said. - "The government is interested in this and approaches the international agreement primarily on the basis that it will benefit Lebanon."
According to the acting head of the ministry of agriculture, grain is now imported from many countries. But we prefer the situation to calm down in the Black Sea region and everything to go back to normal," he stressed. - "This is Lebanon's principled position when we talk about the Ukrainian crisis, we hope that this will happen."
Al Hajj Hassan noted that "Russia and Ukraine are the world's food suppliers, without them it is impossible to ensure food security." "Of course, grain and fertilizers can be bought in the US or, for example, in India, but the question is where it is more profitable to do it," stated the interlocutor, recalling that Lebanon has historically played the role of a trade intermediary in the region. "Today we are all in the same boat, and it is threatened by many storms, so the problem of food security should be taken seriously," he said.
The acting minister said Lebanon has been exporting fresh fruits and vegetables to many nations for decades. "Supplies of Lebanese agricultural products to Russia, we believe, will contribute to strengthening trade and economic relations that bind our friendly countries," he stressed. - "The chambers of commerce and industry must be involved in order to move forward on this issue."
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
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Based on materials from TASS