Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar announced plans for a meeting of the Defense Undersecretaries of Turkey, Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul next Friday to discuss the grain transfer initiative from Ukrainian ports.

Akar said in a press statement today, Wednesday, that he had recently held talks with his Russian counterpart, Sergey Shoigu, in Moscow, and Ukrainian Minister of Infrastructure Oleksandr Kubrakov, in Turkey, during which they discussed the agreement to ship grain across the Black Sea.

Akar said, “As a result of the two parties’ acceptance of the proposal we presented in this regard, a meeting is planned to be held among the Defense Undersecretaries of Turkey, Ukraine and Russia in Istanbul next Friday.

He pointed out that the meeting will discuss some issues of common concern, especially the initiative to transport grain from Ukrainian ports and other humanitarian aspects.

He expressed his hope that the grain shipment agreement would continue without hindrance, as it is of great importance to countries in need and the agreement is also important to peace and stability in the region.

He made it clear that the concerned parties look positively at extending the period of the agreement, and that Turkey hopes to extend the initiative without problems.

It is noteworthy that Turkey, Russia, Ukraine and the United Nations had signed on July 22 of last year in Istanbul “the document of the initiative for the safe shipment of grain and foodstuffs from Ukrainian ports.”

The agreement included securing stranded grain exports in Ukrainian ports on the Black Sea to address global food shortages.

Source: National Iraqi News Agency