Grain deal alternatives fall short of expectations - Erdogan

SOCHI. Sept 4 (Interfax) - Alternatives to the Black Sea Grain Initiative are inferior to the initial agreements in terms of security, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said.

"The alternative proposals put on the agenda did not live up to expectations in terms of security and other aspects," Erdogan said at a press conference after the Russian-Turkish top-level talks.

The deal "played an enormous role for the poorest countries," he said.

Ankara continues to highlight Russia's concerns on different platforms as regards the fulfilment of the Black Sea Grain Initiative, Erdogan said.

"We prepared a new package in consultations with the UN, and I think that we can achieve a result. Turkey will make every effort, and we believe that we will reach a result with regard to this deal as soon as possible," the Turkish president said.