Erdogan offered to work on new exports as part of a grain deal

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, during a telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, suggested starting work on the export of products and other goods as part of a grain deal. This was reported to RIA Novosti in Erdogan’s office.

“During the conversation, relations between Turkey and Russia, especially energy, were discussed, and assessments were made of regional issues, including the grain corridor and the fight against terrorism,” reported agency.

The Turkish president pointed out that the countries in need managed to supply more than 13 million tons of grain. Erdogan said that it is now possible to work on the export of food and other goods within the grain corridor.

On July 22, representatives of Turkey and the UN signed separate agreements with representatives of Russia and Ukraine on the export of Ukrainian grain, as well as on assistance in the export of Russian grain and fertilizers. But soon the Russian authorities accused the West of non-compliance with the second part of the agreement, which concerns the memorandum between Russia and the UN. At the same time, the UN said that they were working to remove restrictions that hinder the export of Russian grain and fertilizers.

On November 17, the Russian Foreign Ministry announced that the participants in the grain deal, including Russia, had extended its validity by 120 days. Presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov noted that the extension of the agreement took into account the concerns that Moscow had previously expressed. “There is an assurance from the UN that the work to ensure Russian exports of food, grain and fertilizers will be finalized. This work has its results,” he said.

Russia and Turkey this week confirmed the package nature of the agreements within the framework of the grain deal during the consultations held on December 8-9 in Istanbul between Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Vershinin and Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister Sedat Onal.