Turkish president urges EU to play its part in extension of Istanbul grain deal

By Diyar Guldogan

ANKARA (AA) - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday urged the EU to play its part in the extension of the Black Sea grain deal.

Erdogan's remarks came at a closed-door meeting with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron on the sidelines of the G-20 Summit in Indonesia, Bali, where they discussed bilateral relations and regional developments.

Erdogan said that the grain corridor started to function again after Türkiye’s intensive efforts, the country’s Communications Directorate said in a statement.

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.

The Turkish president also told Macron that Greece should be encouraged to have "honest, sincere and meaningful dialogue."

Developing cooperation between Ankara and Paris in the defense and energy sectors as well as in trade is in the common interest, Erdogan said.

Macron, for his part, offered condolences to Erdogan over Sunday's deadly terror attack in Istanbul.

At least six people were killed and 81 injured in Sunday's bomb blast, which the Turkish government confirmed was carried out by the YPG/PKK terror group.