Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar on Monday told Ukrainian Infrastructure Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov that it was important for the first shipment of grain under a UN-brokered deal to take place as soon as possible, his ministry said.
In a statement, the ministry said Akar welcomed a statement that Kyiv hopes to begin implementing the deal this week, adding Turkey would continue to do what it has to under the agreement.
Akar, who discussed the grain export deal with US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin earlier, also said work at the Istanbul-based joint coordination center (JCC) was continuing intensely, his ministry said.
Earlier, a UN spokesperson said the first ships to export Ukraine grain from the country's Black Sea ports may move within a few days.
A Joint Coordination Center will liaise with the shipping industry and will publish detailed procedures for ships in the near future, said deputy UN spokesperson Farhan Haq.
Russia, Ukraine, the United Nations and Turkey signed a deal on Friday aimed at allowing safe passage for ships going in and out of three Ukrainian Black Sea ports that have been blocked by Russia since Moscow's Feb. 24 invasion.
Ukraine and Russia are major grains exporters and the port blockade has trapped tens of millions of tons of grain in the country. Along with Western sanctions on Russia, it has sent energy and food prices soaring, sparking protests in developing countries that depend on Black Sea grains.
