Russia ready for remote cooperation with Turkey, UN on grain deal - UN secretariat at JCC
NEW YORK. Oct 31 (Interfax) - The UN Secretariat at the Joint Coordination Center (JCC) has said in a statement that the United Nations and Turkey are offering options for further implementation of the Black Sea Grain Initiative amid the suspended participation of Russia in this deal.
"The Secretariat, in close cooperation with the Turkish delegation at the JCC, continues to engage all representatives to offer options on next steps regarding the JCC operations in accordance with the goals and provisions stated in the Initiative," the statement said.
The statement says that Ukraine, Turkey and the UN have approved a plan for 14 vessels (12 outbound and two inbound) to use the maritime humanitarian corridor on Monday, October 31. The Russian delegation has been informed about the planned ship movements consistent with the JCC procedures. The statement does not say whether the ships will use the corridor despite the fact that Russia has taken no part in the plan's approval.
In order to continue fulfilling the Initiative, it was proposed that the Turkish and United Nations delegations provide ten inspection teams aiming to inspect 40 outbound vessels on Monday.
"This inspection plan has been accepted by the delegation of Ukraine. The Russian Federation delegation has been informed," the statement said.
The UN Secretariat initiated a plenary meeting of the JCC on October 30, where Russia announced the suspension of its involvement in the Black Sea Grain Initiative, including ship inspections, until further notice. The statement said that Russia pledged to continue dialogue with the UN and Ankara on current issues.
"The Russian Federation delegation also expressed its readiness to cooperate remotely on issues that require immediate decision by the JCC," the statement said.
"Currently, there are 97 loaded vessels and 15 inbound vessels registered for JCC inspection around Istanbul. There are an additional 89 that have applied to join the Initiative," it said.
"There was no movement of vessels in the corridor today, 30 October. There are currently 21 vessels engaged in the Initiative that are in or near the three Ukrainian ports with a capacity of over 700,000 metric tons, including the Ikaria Angel, a vessel chartered by the World Food Program loaded with 30,000 metric tons of wheat for the emergency response in the Horn of Africa," the statement said.
According to the JCC, six vessels carrying 186,426 tonnes of grains and other foods began their outbound voyage on October 30 but have not yet entered the maritime humanitarian corridor.
The Despina is carrying 71,135 tonnes of corn to the Netherlands, the Nicolas A is destined for the UK with 46,141 tonnes of rapeseed onboard, and the African Robin will transport 30,500 tonnes of wheat to Algeria. Meanwhile, the Ikaria Angel will bring 30,000 tonnes of wheat to Djibouti, the Sk Friendship will deliver 6,600 tonnes of soybeans to Egypt, and the Sealock with 2 050 tonnes of peas is headed to Turkey.
Five ships carrying 97,400 tonnes of foods successfully passed through the marine humanitarian corridor on Saturday, October 29.
"As of today, the total tonnage of grain and food stuffs moved from the Ukrainian ports under the Initiative is 9,521,645 tons," the JCC said in a statement released on October 30.
The Russian Foreign Ministry said on Saturday that Moscow suspended the implementation of the Black Sea Grain Initiative until further notice following a Ukrainian drone attack on Black Sea Fleet ships anchored in Sevastopol. Later, the Russian mission to the United Nations formally notified the UN secretary-general about the suspension of Russia's involvement in the grain deal.
In addition, Russia requested a UN Security Council meeting on October 31.