Erdogan urges EU to play its part in extension of Istanbul grain deal

Türkiye’s president on Tuesday urged the EU to play its part in extending the Black Sea grain deal, with it set to expire in a matter of days.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan's remarks came at a closed-door meeting with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron on the sidelines of the G-20 summit in Indonesia, Bali, where they also discussed bilateral relations and regional developments.

Erdogan said that the grain corridor started to function again in early November after Türkiye’s intensive efforts, helping convince Russia to rejoin the deal after it exited on Oct. 29, the Turkish Communications Directorate said in a statement.

This July, Türkiye, the UN, Russia, and Ukraine signed an agreement in Istanbul to resume grain exports from three Ukrainian Black Sea ports, which had paused after Russian launched a war on its neighbor in February.

The parties are currently negotiating a possible extension and expansion beyond its planned expiration on Saturday, Nov. 19, with Erdogan saying Ankara is determined to get Russian grain and fertilizers to less-developed countries.

The Turkish president also told Macron that Greece should be encouraged to have "honest, sincere, and meaningful dialogue."

Developing cooperation between Ankara and Paris in the defense and energy sectors as well as in trade is in the common interest, Erdogan said.

Macron, for his part, offered condolences to Erdogan over Sunday's deadly terror attack in Istanbul.

At least six people were killed and 81 injured in Sunday's bomb blast, which the Turkish government confirmed was carried out by the terrorist group YPG/PKK.

Later on Twitter, Macron said that the war in Ukraine raises the risk of global famine.

"Türkiye and France will continue to work to ensure that exports continue unhindered," he added.