NEW YORK, 25 April 2023 (TDI): The UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres met Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to discuss the Ukraine war and Black Sea Grain Initiative (BSGI).Situations in Syria and Afghanistan were also discussed.
The Secretary-General expressed his concerns over the Black Sea Grain Initiative (BSGI) as the Joint Coordination Centre is facing obstacles in its daily operations.
Before the meeting, Russia’s Ambassador to UN Vassily Nebenzia said that the Black Sea grain deal would be among the topics of discussion.
The two last met at the G20 Summit in Bali and discussed the Black Sea grain deal.
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The UN-brokered deal is an attempt to tackle food insecurity made worse by the Russia-Ukraine war.
The deal was signed by Russia, Ukraine Turkey, and the UN in July 2022. The deal allows for the export of grain and fertilizers from three Black Sea ports. Notable among them is the port of Odesa.
The deal was also extended twice.
The Russian Black Sea fleet has a heavy presence across the Black Sea.
The Secretary-General presented the Russian Foreign Minister a letter to President Putin regarding a proposal for improvement, extension, and expansion of the BSGI.
The proposal has been drafted by taking into account the positions taken by the parties and the threat of food insecurity.
The Russian Foreign Minister expressed concerns over the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Russian Federation and the Secretariat of the UN on promoting Russian food products and fertilizers to the world markets.
Previously Russia warned the West that if obstacles to its export of grain and fertilizers were not removed, Russia would work outside the Black Sea Grain deal and Ukraine would have to export its products over land and river routes.
Russia has also expressed its view that the deal is not benefitting the developing countries.
The Secretary-General briefed the Russian Foreign Minister on the progress made on the implementation of the Memorandum and efforts by the Secretariat to address host country issues.
