The so-called Black Sea agreement, signed on July 22 under the auspices of the UN, put in place for 120 days procedures allowing exports of Ukrainian grain that had been blocked because of the war.
The head of the United Nations humanitarian agency said on Wednesday he was “moderately optimistic” about extending the agreement allowing Ukrainian grain exports through the Black Sea, but that optimism was tempered by Russia, which is insisting on its claims.
The so-called Black Sea agreement, signed on July 22 under the auspices of the UN, put in place for 120 days procedures allowing exports of Ukrainian grain that had been blocked because of the war.
Thanks to this system, almost 9 million tons of grain were exported and the global food crisis caused by the war was eased, but concerns about the extension of the agreement are already raising the prices of some products again.
“We want it to be renewed quickly. It’s important for the market, it’s important to have continuity,” commented Martin Griffiths, who recently visited Moscow with Rebecca Greenspan, the secretary-general of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).
“I am always modestly optimistic that we will secure” the extension, he added, noting that from a technical point of view there is no need to conclude a new agreement, but some procedures could be reviewed and “simplified”.
“We don’t just want to see the Black Sea Initiative renewed as long as the parties allow,” but also “the removal of obstacles to Russian grain and fertilizer exports,” he added.
A second agreement, also signed on July 22, provided for the facilitation of specific Russian exports, but Moscow complains that it still cannot make its grain and fertilizer available despite the deal because of Western sanctions that have targeted the country. Russian financial and supply sector.
Mr Griffiths assured that he had “useful discussions” in Washington on this issue the day before Tuesday.
“I am pleased that Martin (Griffiths) is modestly optimistic about extending the (Black Sea) agreement, but we need to see the implementation of the second part of the agreement before decisions are made,” Russia’s ambassador to the United Nations, Vasily, told reporters Nebenzia.
“Russia wants to see its grain and fertilizer exports to the world market, which has not been happening since the start (of the implementation) of the agreement,” he insisted, stressing that “the obstacles always remain the same.”
“We recognize that the Secretary-General (UN Antonio Guterres) and his teams are trying to solve these problems, but unfortunately it is not up to them alone,” he added, highlighting in particular the issues of insurance and access to European ports.
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