JABAR EKSPRES – The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) supports peace in Ukraine and insists resuming the Black Sea food agreement is urgent.

“GCC countries support peaceful efforts in resolving the Russia-Ukraine crisis,” GCC Secretary-General Jassem Mohamed Albudaiwi said after a telephone conversation with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba on Thursday, August 17, 2023.

“He emphasized the importance of continuing the food export agreement between Russia and Ukraine through the Black Sea, in order to facilitate the export of wheat, staple foods and humanitarian supplies, to help ensure food security in the affected countries,” Albudaiwi said.

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He emphasized that the GCC adheres to the principles of international law and the UN Charter.

Russia suspended its participation in the Black Sea food agreement on July 17 on the grounds that Russia’s part of the agreement was not being implemented.

Russia wanted to get easing for its banking restrictions and ability to ship fertilizer before it decided to join the agreement.

The agreement, signed in July last year in Istanbul by Turkey, the UN, Russia and Ukraine, seeks to resume exports through Ukrainian ports that have been halted by the Russia-Ukraine war since February 2022.

Turkey says Western countries should try to address Russia’s grievances and hopes Russia will re-enter the agreement.