Moscow, Aug 1 (UNI) The European Union and NATO on Monday welcomed the departure of the first ship with grain cargo from the Ukrainian port of Odesa under the UN-brokered deal.
"The EU welcomes the departure of the first commercial ship form the port of Odessa following the signature of the Black Sea grain initiative on the 22nd of July," EU foreign affairs spokesman Peter Stano told the EC midday briefing.
This is a very important first step and the EU is looking forward to the implementation of the whole deal as well as the resumption of Ukrainian exports to the customers all around the world, the spokesman added.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg also welcomed the launch of grain exports from Ukraine, expressing gratitude to Turkey for mediating the agreement.
"I welcome the 1st shipment of Ukrainian grain from Odesa under the @UN-brokered deal. I thank our Ally Turkiye for its pivotal role. NATO Allies strongly support the full implementation of the deal to ease the global food crisis caused by Russia's war in Ukraine," Stoltenberg tweeted.
Earlier in the day, the Turkish defense ministry said the vessel was expected to reach the port of Istanbul on August 2.
On July 22, four-way negotiations in Istanbul brokered by the United Nations resulted in agreements to resume grain exports in the Black Sea through three Ukrainian ports and clear the way for Russian food and fertilizers to access global markets, in an effort to stabilize surging food prices worldwide amid the Russian military operation in Ukraine.
UNI/SPUTNIK GNK SHK1850