President hails Turkey’s efforts to reach Ukraine grain agreement
ABU DHABI: President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Saturday made a phone call to the President of Turkiye, Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
During the conversation, Sheikh Mohamed welcomed the agreement signed in Istanbul between Ukraine, Russia, and Turkiye with the participation of theunitednations,toprovidesafepassageforgrain exports through the Black Sea to global markets.
Sheikh Mohamed emphasised that the Istanbul Agreement is a major stride in the right direction, and said that he looks forward to its prompt implementation, as it would help avoid a global food crisis.
The UAE President also hailed Erdogan’s efforts and initiatives that contributed to the signing of the agreement on Friday, which will help facilitate the export of Ukrainian grain to world markets and ensure safe passage. He also commended the Turkish diplomatic efforts to reach this agreement, stressing the importance of resolving disputes through diplomatic and political means to avoid the repercussions that conflicts have on civilians, infrastructure and the international order.
Sheikh Mohamed underscored the UAE’S keenness on supporting efforts and initiatives aimed at enhancing security, and promoting peace and stability, to which all peoples of the world aspire.
The UAE President and the President of Turkiye also discussed bilateral relations, promising prospects for cooperation, and joint work between the UAE and Turkiye in various fields to serve the interests of their countries. The two leaders also tackled the latest regional and international issues of mutual concern and relevant developments.
Separately,inastatement,theministryofforeign Affairs and International Cooperation (MOFAIC) reaffirmed that the agreement signed in Istanbul is a positive step that will contribute to enhancing global food security, by alleviating the repercussions of the grain crisis around the world.
The Ministry stressed the need to continue communication and constructive dialogue to resolve the crisis and reach a political setlement, underscoring the importance of bringing together views to promote peace and stability, at the regional and international levels.
Russia and Ukraine signed a landmark deal on Friday to reopen Ukrainian Black Sea ports for grain exports, raising hopes that an international food crisis aggravated by the Russian invasion can be eased. The accord crowned two months of talks brokered by the United Nations and Turkey, a Nato member that has good relations with both Russia and Ukraine and controls the straits leading into the Black Sea.
Speaking at the signing ceremony in Istanbul, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said the deal opens the way to significant volumes of commercial food exports from three key Ukrainian ports - Odesa, Chernomorsk and Yuzhny.