UPDATE 2: G20 says grain deal fulfillment important

(rewrites story)

U.N./DENPASAR/NUSA DUA, Indonesia, Nov 16 (PRIME) – The G20 states emphasize the importance of fulfillment of the grain deal by all sides and at full extent, the participants of a summit said in a declaration on Wednesday.

The grain deal, signed on July 22, was aimed at facilitating shipment of grain from Ukraine by sea.

It also includes promotion of Russian food and fertilizer exports. According to Russian officials, the second part of the deal was not implemented, and the rollover is uncertain.

Russia’s First Deputy Permanent Representative to the U.N. Dmitry Polyansky told PRIME that restart of exports of Russian ammonia through Ukraine is still discussed in the framework of prolongation of the grain deal.

“There were some contacts at different levels, but a final decision on possible prolongation is yet to be made,” he said.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in a news conference that he planned to discuss transportation of Russian ammonia and fertilizers with President Vladimir Putin.

“Regarding grain, I said that the amount of the grain transported (from the Ukrainian ports) exceeded 10 million tonnes. Ammonia and fertilizers are also important here, and we are working on it. As soon as I return, Putin and I will have a conversation, and we will discuss transportation of Russian fertilizers and ammonia. We expect (the grain deal) to continue working for at least a year,” Erdogan said.

The Financial Times reported earlier quoting sources that Russia and Ukraine may agree to prolong the grain deal with the U.N. mediation before it expires on Saturday, and that Moscow may set a new condition for a restart of ammonia exports through the country.

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