The first shipment of Ukrainian grain left the Odesa port at 08:17 on the morning of August 1, in accordance with the terms of the international agreement signed with Russia in Istanbul, the Ministry of Defense of Turkey announced.
“The Razoni ship left the port of Odessa for the port of Tripoli in Lebanon. He is expected on August 2 in Istanbul. After the inspections to be carried out in Istanbul, it will continue its way to its destinationadded the ministry. According to Oleksandr Kubrakov, Minister of Infrastructure of Ukraine, the ship is loaded with 26 thousand tons of corn. It should arrive at the entrance to the Bosphorus on Tuesday afternoon, said Yoruk Isik, a specialist in monitoring the movement of ships in the Bosphorus and the region.
Mitigating the global food crisis
Other convoys will follow this first departure, respecting the “agreed (sea) corridor and formalities“, the ministry adds. The agreement signed between the representatives of Russia, Ukraine, Turkey and the United Nations on July 22 in Istanbul allows the resumption of Ukrainian exports under international control. A similar agreement signed at the same time also guarantees Moscow the export of its agricultural products and fertilizers, despite Western sanctions. The two agreements should help ease a global food crisis that has seen prices rise in the world’s poorest countries due to the blockade of Ukrainian ports by a conflict with Russia.
Under the terms of the agreement, ships and their cargo must be inspected in Istanbul under the authority of the Joint Coordination Center (JCC). This center, which is responsible for the control of the export of Ukrainian grain through the Black Sea, was opened on Wednesday in Istanbul according to the agreement. It brings together representatives of the two warring countries, as well as Turkey and the United Nations, led by retired US Admiral Fred Kenney. The CCC, according to the agreement, has the task of validating and monitoring commercial ships that will participate in the convoys, monitor them via the Internet and satellite, check the ships at the time of loading and upon arrival at Ukrainian ports. ports. Turkey.
Help channel
The resumption of Ukrainian grain exports for the first time since the February Russian invasionrelief to the world“The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmitry Kuleba welcomed. “It’s a day of relief for our friends around the world, especially in the Middle East, Asia and Africa, as the first grain from Ukraine leaves Odessa after months of Russian blockade. Ukraine has always been a reliable partner and will remain so if Russia keeps its part of the dealThe minister said on Twitter.
The ship is about to departvery positive, good opportunity to test performanceto the Istanbul agreement, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters. “Let’s hope that the agreements will be implemented by all parties and the mechanisms will work effectively”he added.
UN chief Antonio Guterreswarmly welcomeThe first Ukrainian grain ship left on Monday as part of a plan to lift the Russian blockade at sea, a spokesman said. “The Secretary-General hopes that this will be the first of many commercial ships signed under the agreement, and that it will bring much-needed stability and help to global food security, especially in the most fragile humanitarian contexts.said in the UN statement.
Source: Le Figaro
