The UN, Turkey and Ukraine have expressed their readiness to extend the "grain deal", the press service of the Ukrainian Infrastructure Ministry has said following its head Oleksandr Kubrakov's meeting with Turkish Defence Minister Hulusi Akar.
The ministry said that there is no doubt that the work of the "grain corridor" would continue after 22 November.
According to Kubrakov, as of today Ukraine has exported more than 7.7 million tonnes of agricultural products. This has stabilized food prices in the world and works against the threat of global hunger.
Also, during the meeting the Ukrainian side said that the inspection of vessels by the Joint Coordination Centre should be accelerated.
"Thanks to this, it will be possible to significantly increase the volume of grain exports to the countries of Africa, Asia and Europe, as well as to prevent the formation of queues at inspections," the Infrastructure Ministry noted.
At the suggestion of the United Nations, on 22 July, Ukraine, Turkey and the UN Secretary-General signed the Initiative on the safe transport of grain and food from the Ukrainian ports of Odesa, Chornomorsk and Pivdennyy. The agreement is valid until 22 November 2022.
Russia has recently announced that it will withdraw from the agreement, as no-one takes into account its interests regarding the export of its own grain and fertilizers.