ANKARA, March 12. /TASS/. Turkey sees positive approaches of the parties to extend the grain deal and is convinced that it will be extended, the country’s Defense Minister Hulusi Akar told the Anadolu Agency in an interview on Sunday.

"Both sides of the deal demonstrate a positive approach. We believe that this process will have a positive outcome. We are convinced that the deal will be extended after March 18," he said.

Akar added that about 24 million tons of grain have been exported under the deal, with about 800 ships involved in its transportation. "Yes, there are some minor difficulties in the implementation of the agreements, but both the Russian side and the Ukrainian side and the UN are working together. In general, the agreements are being implemented without any negative developments. As for us, we want the deal to continue. I believe that Russia and Ukraine, based on the results of our contacts, also think that it is necessary to continue this work," he said.

The agreements on the export of food from Ukraine were concluded on July 22 for a period of 120 days. One of the agreements regulating grain exports from the Kiev-controlled ports of Odessa, Chernomorsk and Yuzhny. The other deal inked between Russia, Turkey, Ukraine and the UN provides for the establishment of a four-party coordination center whose representatives inspect grain ships in order to prevent arms smuggling and false flag operations. Additionally, Russia and the UN signed a memorandum, under which the organization was supposed to engage in efforts to lift anti-Russian restrictions preventing the export of agricultural products and fertilizers. In November, the grain deal was extended for another 120 days. It expires on March 18.