Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, October 31. After Russia announced the suspension of the implementation of the Black Sea port agricultural product transportation agreement, the joint coordination center responsible for coordinating and supervising the implementation of the agreement said late at night on October 30 that the other three parties to the agreement except Russia, namely the United Nations, Turkey and Ukraine, have agreed to arrange 16 ships to enter and exit the Black Sea grain corridor according to the agreement on the 31st, including 12 outbound ships and 4 inbound ships.
On August 20, UN Secretary-General Guterres said at the Joint Coordination Center for the Black Sea Food Transportation in Istanbul, Turkey that transporting more grain and fertilizers from Ukraine and Russia is crucial to further stabilize the commodity market and lower prices. (Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Shadati)
, a joint coordination center located in Istanbul, Turkey, issued a statement that in order to continue to implement the Black Sea port agricultural products transportation agreement, "it has been proposed that the delegations between Turkey and the United Nations have sent 10 inspection teams to inspect 40 ships to be departed on the 31st. The delegation of Ukraine has accepted this inspection plan. The delegation of Russia has been informed."
The United Nations representative convened a meeting with the United Nations, Ukraine and Turkish representatives at the Joint Coordination Center earlier on the 30th. During this period, "the Russian representative informed that although Russia suspended its participation in the implementation of the agreement indefinitely, Russia will continue to maintain dialogue with the United Nations and Türkiye's delegation on urgent issues."
Russian Satellite News Agency reported that a Russian source revealed on the 30th that the arrangements for the entry and exit of ships by the other three parties "no need for Russia to do anything."
On August 6, the second batch of grain transport ships departing from Ukraine arrived near the Black Sea estuary of the Bosphorus Strait in Istanbul, Turkey. (Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Shadati)
On the 29th, Russia accused Ukraine of attacking Russian ships participating in ensuring the security of the Black Sea Food Corridor and announced that it would suspend participation in the implementation of the Black Sea port agricultural product transportation agreement. Ukraine responded that Russia tried to use "false excuses" to block the Black Sea food corridor.
According to the statement of the Joint Coordination Center, a total of 5 ships left the port safely through the "maritime humanitarian passage" planned by the agreement on the 29th, and another 4 ships entered the port safely. No ships were arranged to enter and exit the port on the 30th. There are currently 97 outbound ships loaded with cargo and 15 inbound ships waiting for inspection by the Joint Coordination Center. Another 89 ships have applied to join the agreement, awaiting approval.
In July this year, Russia, Ukraine, the United Nations and Türkiye agreed to set up a joint coordination center in Istanbul to provide security guarantees for the export and transportation of Ukrainian grains and other agricultural products through the Black Sea. Russia and Ukraine agreed that neither side will attack the ships transporting agricultural products, and the agreement will also ensure that Russian food and fertilizers enter the international market.
This is the Joint Coordination Center for the Black Sea Food Transportation filmed on July 27 in Istanbul, Türkiye. (Photo by Shadati, Xinhua News Agency)
Reuters reported that since the signing of the agreement, more than 9.5 million tons of cereals and other agricultural products have been exported through the Black Sea Grain Corridor. The agreement is valid for 120 days and will expire on November 19, but it is agreed that if no party objectes, it will be automatically extended.
Russia has expressed dissatisfaction with the implementation of some of the contents of the agreement involving Russia many times recently, pointing out that Russia's exports of grain and fertilizers are still blocked due to Western sanctions.
html on the Chicago Futures Exchange in the United States on 31st, as of 12:55 Beijing time, the price of the wheat contract, which is the most active in trading, rose by 5.4%, at 1 bushel of 8.73 per bushel. Corn and soybean prices have also risen to varying degrees. (Shen Min)
