Agreement on grain crisis signed in Istanbul

The agreement regarding the transport of grain and other food products to the world markets through the Black Sea was signed at Dolmabahçe office with the participation of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and UN Secretary-General António Guterres. The agreement was signed by the Minister of National Defense Hulusi Akar, the Minister of Defense of Russia Sergey Shoygu and the Minister of Infrastructure of Ukraine Oleksandr Kubrakov.

Speaking at the ceremony, President Erdoğan said, “Welcome to Istanbul, the meeting point of civilizations and continents. After our meeting in March, we are back together again. I am pleased to welcome you, our dear friends, on another historic day. We are rightfully proud to be instrumental in the initiative that will play a big role in solving the global food crisis. We will contribute to preventing the danger of hunger that awaits billions of people all over the world.”

GUTERRES: THERE IS A GLIMMER OF HOPE IN THE BLACK SEA

Antonio Guterres, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, who made statements at the agreement ceremony, said:

Today there is a glimmer of hope in the Black Sea, there is a glimmer of possibility, there is a glimmer of remedy. The world needs it more than ever. Many thanks to everyone who has been instrumental in making this happen. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s persistent approach on this issue has had a lot of impact. Thank you very much.

These negotiations were also important for everyone for the benefit of humanity. It’s not for one side to win, this agreement is being signed for the world here. Global food prices have reached record highs. From this point of view, there will also be an opportunity for countries at the development stage. This agreement will allow grain and food prices to fall.

Since the war began, I have said that the solution to the global food crisis can only be solved if there is has access to food products of Ukraine and Russia. We are about to reach that point today.

All parties have had commitments on this issue. This initiative must be fully implemented. The world needs it very much. Turkey has a critical role here. About moving forward. The UN also stands by its commitment.