Joint Coordination Center supervising Ukrainian grain exports unveiled in Istanbul

ISTANBUL. July 27 (Interfax) - Istanbul is hosting the inauguration ceremony of the Joint Coordination Center (JCC) set up under the initiative on mutual understanding for the safe transportation of grain from Ukrainian seaports, the Anadolu Agency reported on Wednesday.

The center is based on the grounds of the Turkish National Defense University. Its members include representatives of Turkey, Ukraine, and Russia, as well as diplomats from the United Nations.

Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar is taking part in the ceremony, Anadolu said.

Addressing the JCC members, Akar highlighted the importance of the shipments of 25 million tonnes of Ukrainian grain to countries experiencing shortages in agricultural produce.

Two documents signed in Istanbul on July 22 by participants in four-sided negotiations regulate the functioning of a sea corridor for exporting grain from the Ukrainian seaports of Odesa, Chornomorsk (formerly known as Illichivsk), and Pivdenny (formerly known as Yuzhny).