The UN asks Ukraine and Russia to “fulfill their responsibility” with the grain agreement in the Black Sea

It states that there were no inspections on Tuesday because “the parties need more time for an agreement on operational priorities”

12 Apr. (EUROPE PRESS) –

The United Nations has called on Ukraine and Russia to “fulfill their responsibilities” to ensure the passage of ships through the Black Sea, after being unable to carry out inspections on Tuesday because “the parties need more time to agree on priorities operational”.

The spokesman for the UN Secretary General, Stéphane Dujarric, stressed that “after some intense discussions” with the Joint Coordination Center (JCC), supported by the United Nations and Turkey, routine inspections are expected to resume this Wednesday. .

“We ask all parties involved to meet their obligations to ensure that ships continue to move smoothly and safely, in the interest of global food security,” he said, before indicating that there are currently 50 ships waiting to enter Ukrainian ports.

Thus, he stressed that “the JCC has supervised and allowed the safe export of more than 27.5 million metric tons of food since the initiative was signed, which has contributed to lowering food prices.” “We do not underestimate the challenges, but we know that they can be overcome,” she has argued.

Dujarric has asserted that “the UN team is working closely with all parties, taking into account all their concerns” and has insisted that “the global humanitarian benefits of the initiative are evident and are not limited to exports to specific low-income countries.

“It is in everyone’s interest to keep it going,” he defended, while stressing that “it is crucial that all parties guarantee the integrity and full application of the initiative”, amid tensions between Kiev and Moscow over the conditions for the extension of this mechanism.

Russia announced in March a 60-day extension to the agreement, although the United Nations and Ukraine recalled that the clauses of the pact contemplated an extension of 120 days. Moscow denounced that “there is a part of the agreement related to Russia that has not yet been completed” and added that “the pact cannot stand on one leg.”