Erdogan says will discuss Black Sea grain deal with UN chief soon

Ankara, The Gulf Observer: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s visit to Russia’s Sochi centred on discussions about reviving the Black Sea grain deal, Türkiye’s mediation efforts in Ukraine, addressing the global food crises, and energy cooperation.

“We are ready to do our part when the parties are willing,” Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told the media regarding Türkiye’s mediation between Russia and Ukraine on the way back from his day-long diplomatic visit to Russia’s Sochi.

During their meeting on Monday, the Turkish President and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin discussed bilateral relations and regional and global developments in detail.

Reviving last year’s historic Black Sea grain deal that helped ease the global food crisis was on top of the agenda between the two leaders during the visit. Erdogan stressed the importance of reviving the deal as “a top priority for the entire world.”

“As you know, our cooperation with Russia is exemplified by the Black Sea Initiative, which has significantly contributed to the global food crisis,” Erdogan said at the media briefing.

He also appreciated UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’s efforts regarding the grain deal. He pointed to the upcoming Heads of State and Government gathering at UN Headquarters in New York on 18-19 September 2023 and said, “We will have meetings with Guterres and discuss these issues there.”

“Thanks to our contributions, the United Nations has prepared a new package that could pave the way for the revival of the Black Sea initiative.”

Erdogan said he believes a positive result meeting expectations will be achieved quickly.