The Russian delegation, which will negotiate the extension of the agreement on the export of Russian grains, said today in Geneva that it is available for extension, but only for another 60 days, until the agreement is amended.
Last July, the United Nations and Turkey entered into parallel agreements with Ukraine and Russia that respectively allow Kiev to ship food and fertilizer from Ukraine’s three Black Sea ports and Moscow to export food and fertilizer.
The 120-day deal, which helped partly mitigate the effects of rising global food prices, was extended last November, but it expires next Saturday with another 120 days on the negotiating table.
Moscow makes no secret of its displeasure, arguing that as a result of a parallel agreement signed to allow the export of Russian food and fertilizers used around the world, there was little fertilizer and no Russian grain.
Therefore, the Kremlin believes that the agreement needs to be modified in the future and has instructed its negotiating team in Geneva not to accept proposals for extensions beyond 60 days.
“A detailed and frank conversation once again confirmed that although the commercial export of Ukrainian products is carried out at a stable pace, bringing considerable profit to Kiev, there are still restrictions for Russian exporters of agricultural products,” the Russian delegation said in a statement.
Russian officials also complain that banking restrictions and high insurance costs have undermined their hopes for fertilizer exports.
Rebeca Greenspan, Secretary General of the UN Conference on Trade and Development, and Martin Griffiths, head of the UN humanitarian agency, today received a group led by Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Vershinin at the UN office in Geneva.
The so-called Black Sea Grain Initiative includes maritime cargo checks by UN, Russian, Ukrainian and Turkish officials to ensure that only food is being transported and not weapons.
While the cereal deal has helped stabilize global food prices, there are still concerns about the impact on prices of possible trade restrictions as well as climate issues, especially heat waves, said Michael Puma, director of Columbia University’s Center for Climate Research. Systems.
Author: Portuguese
Source: CM Jornal
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