ANKARA, March 14. /TASS/. Turkey welcomes the extension of grain deal for another term and considers it an important initiative that proves the possibility of settling all crises through goodwill and dialogue, the Turkish National Defense Ministry said in a statement.
"Turkish National Defense Minister Hulusi Akar and the relevant authorities continue to negotiate and coordinate to carry on with the activities of the grain deal and to extend it in accordance with the agreement, with demands of the parties taken into account. In these talks, the parties are reminded of the importance of continuing this initiative, which has a positive impact on humanity around the world and proves that all crises can be resolved with goodwill and dialogue," the statement said.
According to the document, since July 22, 2022, when the Black Sea Grain Initiative came into force, 24 million tons of food have been exported through Ukrainian ports.
The statement also stressed that Turkey would continue its efforts to ensure peace in the region and provide humanitarian aid.
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.