Ukraine proposes developing basic navigation algorithm in Black Sea - chief of Zelensky's office

MOSCOW. July 14 (Interfax) - Ukraine has proposed forming a basic navigation algorithm in the Black Sea, Ukrainian presidential office chief Andriy Yermak said.

"Ukraine's security in the Black Sea is a priority when it comes to the resumption of exports of Ukrainian agricultural produce. Therefore, Ukraine has proposed forming a basic algorithm for the functioning of navigation in the Black Sea," Ukrainian media quoted Yermak as saying in a social media post early on Thursday.

"This would ensure Ukrainian grain exports and guarantee food security to millions of people around the world. Based on the meeting's results, the parties agreed to form a joint coordination center under the UN auspices. It will be located in Istanbul. Its function will be the general monitoring and coordination of safe navigation in the Black Sea," Yermak said.

Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar had said earlier that the participants in four-sided negotiations in Istanbul (Ukraine, Turkey, Russia, and the UN) agreed to set up a coordination center in the Turkish capital "to facilitate Ukrainian grain exports."

Akar described the meeting as "positive and constructive," Anadolu said.

The agency quoted Akar as saying that "the participants found common ground with regards to the technical issues, such as navigational safety on transfer routes and joint controls at entry and exit of ports."

"We see that the parties are willing to sort this problem out. We will try to reach a conclusion by carrying out this [plan] in coordination with the UN," Akar said.

A Ukrainian and a Russian delegation should meet again in Turkey next week "to review the details of the agreement and also sign relevant documents, making the deal official," Anadolu said.