Extension of Black Sea grain deal would be right: Turkish president

By Diyar Guldogan

ANKARA (AA) - It would be the right decision for parties to extend the Black Sea grain export deal which is due to expire on Nov. 19, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said.

"I think it would be wrong to put a time limit there. We told them (Russia and Ukraine) that the longer they keep this deal, the more accurate it will be," Erdogan on Friday told reporters on the presidential plane returning from the Uzbekistan trip.

Türkiye, the UN, Russia, and Ukraine signed an agreement in Istanbul on July 22 to resume grain exports from three Ukrainian Black Sea ports, which paused after the start of the Moscow-Kyiv war in February.

The parties are currently negotiating a possible extension and expansion beyond its Nov. 19 deadline, with Erdogan saying Ankara is determined to transfer Russian grain and fertilizers to less-developed countries.

Erdogan said the "most important" thing for Türkiye is to operate the grain corridor deal, and to mediate between Russia and Ukraine toward peace.

"Of course, (Russian President Vladimir) Putin's goal is to highlight the poor African countries, particularly Mali, Somalia, and Sudan. He made me the offer that we could send them the grain for free. As soon as such a step is taken, we can show the same sensitivity," he noted.

It would not be fair to put Africa aside and send grain to Europe, Erdogan stressed, adding: "If we provide intensive flow of grain, fertilizer, and ammonia to poor countries through the grain corridor, we will relieve the peoples there."

Regarding Putin's absence from the upcoming G-20 summit in Indonesia, Erdogan said: "Making an assessment on this matter would be both disrespectful to himself and disrespectful to his team."