EU, Latin American, Caribbean countries reaffirm support for Black Sea grain deal

BRUSSELS. July 19 (Interfax) - The leaders of European Union countries and members of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) have expressed their support for the Black Sea Grain Initiative and "a just and sustainable peace" in Ukraine in a joint statement.

"We reiterate equally our support for the Black Sea Grain Initiative and the efforts of the UNSG [United Nations Secretary-General] to secure its extension. We support all diplomatic efforts aimed at a just and sustainable peace [in Ukraine] in line with the UN charter," the statement made by the countries at the summit says.

President of the European Council Charles Michel said events in Ukraine did not overshadow other challenges facing the EU, including climate change, fairness in economic relations, combating poverty, digital transformations, the advent of artificial intelligence, and others.

European media reported earlier that the clause concerning the situation in Ukraine prompted heated debates over wordings proposed by Brussels at the EU-CELAC meeting. According to some Western publications, Nicaragua was the most implacable opponent of the final text, even after it was edited to reach a compromise.

The participants in the third EU-CELAC summit, which was held in Brussels on July 17-18 for the first time in eight years, included the heads of state and government of EU countries and the 33 CELAC countries.