“Today, the Joint Coordination Centre (JCC) has not reached agreement to authorize new vessels to participate in the Black Sea Initiative. The JCC continues its daily inspection work on the previously authorized vessels,” Farhan Haq, the deputy spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, said at his press briefing.

Representatives from Turkey, Russia, Ukraine, and the UN are gathering in Istanbul on Friday for a meeting to discuss the Black Sea grain agreement, which is scheduled to end later this month. Technical personnel from these countries will be present at the meeting.

“The Secretary-General has communicated to all parties his proposal on the way forward aimed at the improvement, extension and expansion of the Initiative, taking into account positions expressed by the parties,” Haq added.

He also noted that the UN urged all parties to continue their discussions, overcome operational challenges and work towards the full implementation and continuation of the Initiative. (ILKHA)