BRUSSELS, July 15. /TASS/. The agreement between Russia, Turkey and Ukraine on a naval corridor for grain export may be signed next week, a source in the EU External Action told reporters Friday.
"An agreement on export of grain from Ukraine by sea may be signed in Istanbul with the UN’s mediation next week. Of course, after that, the agreement will require implementation, and our [the EU - TASS] expectations are not too high," he said.
At the same time, the European diplomat underscored the "critical role" of naval transit for export of grain from Ukraine.
Earlier on Friday, Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov said that the sides of the Istanbul talks mostly supported Russia’s proposals, adding that the work on the "Black Sea Initiative" outcome document will be complete shortly.
Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar also said after the talks that the outcome document will be signed next week. According to Turkey’s Yeni Safak, the naval corridor in the Black Sea for export of grain and agricultural products will become operational after that.
According to the report, details regarding operation of the UN-led coordination center in Istanbul will become available next week, when the sides meet again. According to technical agreements, the grain corridor operation will be coordinated by the UN. Representatives of the three countries will be present in the ports of departure, they will also supervise transportation from ports of departure to Istanbul. Yeni Safak also claims that agreements on demining of Ukrainian ports were achieved during the Istanbul meeting. Ukraine will do the demining, and it will also define the route for grain cargo ships.