Ukraine and Turkey discussed restoration of navigation safety in the Black Sea

The Ministry of Economy of Ukraine believes that the complete restoration of navigation safety in the Black Sea is a common interest of Ukraine and Turkey.

The Minister of Economy Yuliya Svyridenko emphasized this during her visit to Turkey, where she discussed with the Turkish Minister of Trade Omer Bolat the finalization of the ratification of the Free Trade Agreement.

The meeting also discussed the improvement of mutually beneficial trade conditions, the expansion of interaction between Ukrainian and Turkish businesses, the strengthening of control over compliance with sanctions against the Russian Federation, and the issue of food security.

A separate topic was Turkey’s role in guaranteeing the safety of navigation and mine clearance in the Black Sea.

“Turkey is already a de facto hub for supplying our grain to other countries. Through Turkey, for example, we sent ships with grain to African countries, in particular, 25,000 tons to Nigeria and 15,000 tons to Sudan,” Yulia Svyridenko emphasized.

According to her, the complete restoration of navigation safety in the Black Sea is a common interest of Ukraine and Turkey. Restoring the ferry connection between the ports of Ukraine and Turkey should become another important element for strengthening food security.

“Also, with my Turkish colleague, we discussed the issue of Russia’s illegal export of more than 4.5 million tons of Ukrainian grain from the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine. We ask the Turkish authorities to take appropriate measures to stop the import or transit of stolen Ukrainian grain,” continued Yulia Svyridenko.

Previously, USM pondered whether a new Grain Agreement is needed for Ukraine, as well as why such statements are being made despite the successful operation of the maritime corridor.