On December 21, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Sergey Vershinin, together with representatives of interested Russian departments and companies, held a regular round of consultations with the UN delegation in the format of the videoconferencing with the participation of the Secretary-General of the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) R. Greenspan and the UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, Emergency Relief Coordinator M. Griffiths.
A detailed discussion of all issues related to the implementation of the “package” Istanbul agreements of July 22 – the “Black Sea initiative” on the export of Ukrainian food and the Russia-UN Memorandum on the normalization of domestic exports of agricultural products and fertilizers was continued.
According to the Memorandum, the preservation of the blocking effect of unilateral sanctions on the supply of Russian products to world markets was stated, which is expressed in the lack of opportunities for bank settlements, prohibitive insurance rates and denial of access to ports. It was noted at the same time that without the establishment of supplies of our fertilizers and food, the problem of their affordability risks developing into a crisis of their physical shortage.
According to the “Black Sea initiative”, the continuation of the implementation of the agreement in the agreed parameters and modalities was confirmed during the 120-day extension period, until March 18, 2023. Currently, 580 vessels have been able to use the humanitarian sea corridor, which have exported over 14.8 million tons of grain, mainly feed (70% of cargo), mainly to developed countries (51% of supplies).
Both sides stressed the importance of ensuring the full and conscientious implementation of the Istanbul “package” Agreements in the interests of reducing threats to global food security.
A source: https://www.mid.ru/ru/foreign_policy/news/1845165/
