(ISTANBUL) Traffic in the Black Sea resumed on Monday through a humanitarian sea route that allowed Ukrainian grain to be exported, despite Russia’s temporary withdrawal from an international agreement announced on Friday.
Posted at 6:19 am.
At least six cargoes loaded with grain, incl Icaria AngelChartered by the World Food Programme, the vessel was bound for Djibouti with 30,000 tonnes of wheat and embarked on a humanitarian sea route to the Bosphorus and Turkey, the Maritime Transport website reported.
The Joint Coordination Center (JCC), responsible for overseeing the Ukrainian Grain Export Agreement via the Black Sea, announced that a total of twelve cargo ships were scheduled to depart from Ukrainian ports during the day.
Amir Abdullah, the United Nations coordinator for the Ukrainian Grains Initiative, called on Twitter on Monday morning: “No civilian cargo should be a military target or hostage. Food must pass”.
For his part, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, one of the accord’s guarantors, vows to continue to defend it.
“Despite reluctance because Russia is not given the same facilities (as for Ukraine, editor’s note), we are determined to continue our efforts in the service of humanity,” declared the Turkish president. with Kiev and Moscow since the conflict began on February 24.
Four other boats were also bound for Ukraine, one of which, under the Turkish flag, left Istanbul on Monday morning.
Russia announced on Friday that it would “suspend” a Ukrainian export deal after a drone attack on Odessa.
On Sunday, it backed off “until further notice” from ship inspections mandated by an international treaty guaranteeing the safe transit of Ukrainian agricultural exports.
Tests continue
However, Turkey and the United Nations, two of the four parties to the international agreement, are determined to continue ignoring the movement of the ships.
In a statement on Sunday evening, Russia, Ukraine, Turkey and the UN The JCC, which brings together representatives from the Turkish and UN delegations, announced that they would provide additional evidence for inspections and that “ten teams” would inspect 40 vessels. Ukraine on Monday.
The JCC noted that it had “received the agreement of Ukraine”. “The Russian delegation has been informed,” he said, stressing that “Turkey wants to continue the dialogue with the UN.”
The JCC added that “representatives of the Russian Federation are ready to cooperate remotely on points that require an immediate decision.”
Eleven cargo ships may be inspected on Sunday, after being stopped on Saturday.
The Turkish Defense Ministry continued talks with other parties to the deal on Sunday, reminding the parties of the importance of “continuing this effort.” […] Avoid any provocation that has negative consequences.
Agreement on Ukrainian grain exports entered into force on 1R August ends on November 19.
It allowed the export of 9.3 million tons of grain and other goods from Ukraine. According to the JCC, 40% of exports were destined for developing countries.
A separately signed agreement with Russia and without Ukraine would facilitate the export of Russian fertilizers and agricultural products. But it is not really used.
The slowdown in activities in the Bosphorus has been particularly condemned by Ukraine, which accuses Russia of dragging out exploration.
Up to 170 ships arriving from or departing from Ukrainian ports have been waiting for inspections off the coast of Istanbul for up to twelve days in some cases over the past week in order to continue their journeys.
