By Janet Ekstract
UNITED NATIONS – At a news conference at the UN on Tuesday, Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Stephane Dujarric, explained that Guterres is very appreciative of Turkish efforts to end a deadlock on Ukraine grain exports as well as their efforts to clear mines planted in the Black Sea by the port of Odesa, Ukraine. Dujarric commented: “The Secretary-General is extremely grateful for the support that Turkey is giving in addressing the situation in the Black Sea and supporting the Secretary General’s own efforts.”
Earlier on Tuesday, Turkey’s Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu commented on the situation in transporting grain from war zones in Ukraine that is now extremely difficult, due to sea mines as well as sanctions on Russia, Cavusoglu said issues preventing grain exports include insurance issues due to sanctions on Russia and Russia’s not being allowed to dock in international ports. The foreign minister explained that the mines could be cleared out within one or two weeks, adding that a control mechanism needs to be facilitated to deal with the concerns of both Russia and Ukraine.
Cavusoglu said the UN is working in tandem with Turkish officials on this situation. He added: “The UN has a proposal – creating a four-way contact group consisting of the UN, Turkiye, Russia and Ukraine. We said ‘yes’ to this in principle. An idea to hold a meeting on a technical level came up. A full consensus has not yet been reached on this issue.”
