Turkey, UN to inspect Ukraine-bound grain ships: Source
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Turkey, Russia, Ukraine, and the UN are expected to meet on July 20-21 to further discuss the establishment of a coordination center in Istanbul.
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The second phase of talks on the 'Grain Issue' is to be held next week
On July 13, delegates from Russia, Ukraine, and Turkey met with officials in Istanbul to discuss an agreement that would involve the creation of a grain coordination center in Istambul, alternatively called a "grain corridor". The agreement is intended to relieve the food crisis by resuming exports of Ukrainian grain through the Black Sea. About 20 million tons of grain constitute the object of negotiations to be put into commercial circulation.
No major obstacles to signing the deal on the ‘grain issue’
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said after meeting with the delegates, "Today in Istanbul, we have seen a critical step. A step forward to ensuring the safe and secure exports of Ukrainian food products through the Black Sea."
"More technical work will now be needed to materialize today's progress," he pointed out.
"In the end, the aim of all parties is not just an agreement between the Russian Federation and Ukraine, but an agreement for the world," he emphasized.
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Vershinin said on Wednesday that "there should be no problems with that. We have said it publicly at the highest level that there are obstacles on our part to the exports."
Ship inspections
According to the proposed deal, the UN and Turkish authorities are to begin inspecting empty vessels heading back to Ukraine's port. The intent in doing so is to ease Russian fears of weapon smuggling.
This was set as a precondition in order for Russia to facilitate the circulation of foreign commercial vessels to export Ukrainian grain.
Discussion on the creation of a security zone near Ukrainian waters
The agreement implies the creation of a security zone for checking ships near Ukrainian waters, and not in the ports themselves to prevent the smuggling of weapons.
According to sources, only the UN and Turkish officers will have exclusive access to the inspection of ships. This constitutes the basic mechanism for the work to be carried out, despite a few "technical" issues remaining to be solved.
Mobilizing efforts to solve the 'grain issue'
Russian Defense Ministry Spokesperson Lieutenant General Igor Konashenkov said on Wednesday, "Russian Defense Ministry representatives are participating in the four-way negotiations in Istanbul with colleagues from the Republic of Turkey, UN representatives, and the Ukrainian delegation on the organization of export of agricultural products from Black Sea ports. The Russian delegation has prepared and presented a package of proposals on the prompt practical resolution of this issue."
Russia's proposals on solving the 'grain issue' are focused on finding a solution and the position of all parties was very constructive during talks in Istanbul, a source familiar with the matter said.
"The proposals of all parties, including Russia, were aimed at solving the problem, and the position of all parties was open and constructive. Yesterday's meeting was very constructive," the source said.
He added that "if they [disagreements] did not exist, there would be no need for negotiations."
"Before the negotiations in Istanbul, Turkey and the United Nations held separate meetings with the Russian and the Ukrainian sides. The negotiations were held at the ministerial level, the issue was frequently discussed by the leaders of the countries," the source added.
Next round of meetings likely to be held on July 20-21
The next meeting is scheduled to be held on July 20-21, according to sources. "Preliminary on July 20-21, but this is not yet certain, everything is agreed by the parties, adjustments are possible," the source said.
A diplomatic source said that prospects for reaching a consensus are positive. Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar expressed on Wednesday that "all sides are eager to solve this problem" and that Turkey is taking the necessary steps to solve the problem of unblocking Ukrainian exports.
"An agreement was also reached that the delegations of Russia and Ukraine will hold another meeting in Turkey next week to discuss all the details and sign a final document," Akar added.
