3 May 2023 13:28

Dates of high-level meeting on Black Sea grain deal not finalized yet - Russian Foreign Ministry

MOSCOW. May 3 (Interfax) - The dates of a high-level meeting on the Black Sea grain deal are still being discussed, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said on Wednesday.

"Working contacts between representatives of the parties, Russia, Turkey, Ukraine, and the UN, have been continuing all the time at the joint coordination center in Istanbul. This working level has been maintained continuously," Zakharova said at a press briefing.

"This is essential for conducting inspections in line with the agreed-upon rules of procedure. Indeed, holding a high-level meeting in the upcoming period is being discussed now. The dates have not been finalized yet. As soon as they are agreed upon, we'll definitely inform everyone about it," Zakharova said.

Media reported earlier that such a meeting could take place within days.

Zakharova said also that a Russian interagency delegation and UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) Secretary-General Rebeca Grynspan are to meet in Moscow on May 5 for another round of consultations on implementing the memorandum of understanding on promoting Russian food products and fertilizers to world markets.