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Russia, UN begin grain deal consultations in Geneva

Martin Griffiths didn't give an answer to the question whether he was optimistic about consultations Russia

© Yuri Smityuk/TASS

GENEVA, March 13. /TASS/. On Monday, a Russian delegation and UN representatives entered into consultations in Geneva on progress in implementing the package of documents signed in July last year in Istanbul on the supply of food and fertilizers to the world market. The Russian delegation is led by Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Vershinin. The UN is represented by the head of the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs Martin Griffiths and Secretary-General of the Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) Rebeca Grynspan.

The meeting is being held at the UN headquarters in Geneva.

Before the consultations commenced the participants refrained from making statements to the media. In particular, Griffiths was asked by a TASS correspondent for comment on Sunday’s statement by the Russian Foreign Ministry on the need for implementing the Black Sea grain initiative in conjunction with the agreement on ensuring the unhindered export of Russian farm produce, which currently continues to be blocked. No answer followed. Nor did Griffiths give an answer to the question whether he was optimistic about consultations Russia.

Istanbul agreements

A package of documents was signed in Istanbul, on July 22 last year on the supply of food and fertilizers to the international market. One of them approved a mechanism for the export of grain from Ukrainian-controlled Black Sea ports. The other part of the agreements concerned access to world markets for Russian food. The Russian authorities have repeatedly pointed out that the second part has not actually been implemented. Last November, the grain deal was extended for another 120 days. It is expiring on March 18.

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Foreign policy United Nations

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