Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan shakes hands after a joint news conference, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, during marking the Independence Day in Kyiv, Ukraine August 25, 2023. (REUTERS)
August 25, 2023. Hellas.
"We
know that alternative ways are currently being sought for grain export.
However, we also see that these ways cannot be an alternative to the original
initiative and contain risks," Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said
on Friday at a news conference with his Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro
Kuleba in the capital Kyiv.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said on Friday that no other
options can be alternatives to the Black Sea Grain Initiative as they
carry risks.
"We know that alternative ways are currently being sought for grain
export. However, we also see that these ways cannot be an alternative to the
original initiative and contain risks," Fidan said at a news conference
with his Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Kuleba in the capital Kyiv.
Türkiye continues its efforts to revive the Black Sea grain deal before its
gains are lost, Fidan said, stressing that thanks to this initiative, more than
33 million tons of grains and food products reached international markets.
"This is why we will continue to engage in dialogue with all parties
at all levels," he added.
On July 17, Russia suspended its participation in the Black Sea grain deal,
brokered by Türkiye and the UN, to resume grain exports from three Ukrainian
Black Sea ports that were paused after the Ukraine war in February 2022.
Moscow has repeatedly complained that the West has not met its obligations
regarding Russia's own grain exports. It says restrictions on payments,
logistics and insurance have been a barrier to its shipments.
Ankara has been carrying out intense efforts for the restoration of the
July 2022 deal, and has also called on Kyiv and Moscow to end the war through
negotiations.
"Reviving this initiative is a priority for Türkiye. This initiative
holds a special place for global food security and humanitarian efforts,"
Fidan said, adding that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is
carrying out a "very systematic" work.
He also thanked Ukrainians for their "constructive support" on
the issue.
Turning to Russia's attacks on Ukraine ports, Fidan said it is not possible
for Türkiye to condone the destruction and bombing of ports and vehicles.
"For this very reason, we have always thought that Russia should be
included in the equation from the very beginning," he said, adding that
Türkiye will continue its diplomatic efforts.
Kuleba, for his part, said: "We have a common approach on this issue.
We have joint efforts to restart this initiative."
About Türkiye's mediation efforts, Kuleba said since the beginning many
countries expressed their willingness to play a role in ending this war.
"But very few succeeded in doing at least something and the biggest
success that we've had so far actually belongs to Türkiye. I think this fact
speaks for itself about the efforts that Türkiye is making in terms of the
peaceful resolution of the conflict," he added.
Ukraine believes that Türkiye was efficient because it focused on very
specific issues instead of trying to solve everything at the time which is
impossible, the minister said, assessing the efficiency of Turkish diplomacy.
"They (Türkiye) proved their quality with their deeds, not with their
words," Kuleba added.
BILATERAL TIES
Congratulating Ukraine on its 32nd anniversary of Independence Day, Fidan
reiterated Türkiye's support to the country's territorial integrity.
"Our relations with our strategic partner Ukraine continue to improve
despite the war," he added.
The minister also thanked Ukraine for taking steps to strengthen the rights
of the Crimean Tatar Turks.
Emphasizing that Türkiye will always stand by Ukraine, Fidan said: "In
particular, we will continue to support the physical recovery of Ukraine."
Kuleba said they also discussed NATO, adding: "The relationship
between Ukraine and Türkiye continues at all levels. Türkiye is an important
member of NATO for us."
He added that the two countries are connected at all levels in many areas,
and that the relations will develop further.
Meanwhile, during his one-day visit to Kyiv, Fidan also met with the
leaders of the Crimean Tatar Turks, including Mustafa Abdülcemil Kırımoğlu.
Fidan underlined Türkiye's support for all initiatives that strengthen the
rights and status of Crimean Tatar Turks.
Türkiye recognized Ukraine's independence in 1991, and bilateral relations
gained the status of strategic partnership in 2011.
Ankara frequently voices support for the country's territorial integrity
and sovereignty, and does not recognize the illegal annexation of Crimea.
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Anews
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