Arab News Japan

TOKYO: Japan has welcomed the agreement that lifts the blockade of Ukrainian ports to allow the shipping of Ukrainian grain exports to other countries. The United Nations, Turkey, Ukraine and Russia reached an agreement on Friday.  

A statement from Japanese Foreign Minister HAYASHI  Yoshimasa said: “Japan welcomes the agreement by the four parties on lifting a de facto blockade of the Ukrainian Black Sea ports in order to resume the worldwide export of grain. We commend the tireless efforts of the UN and in particular of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, UNOCHA Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Martin Griffiths and UNCTAD Under-Secretary-General Rebecca Grynspan.”

HAYASHI cautioned that many issues still require clarification before the actual resumption of grain exports from Ukraine, but termed Friday’s agreement an “important step towards overcoming the global food crisis.” Japan, he said, would monitor the situation and expects all parties to abide by the agreement.

Japan called on Russia “to stop its unprovoked and unjustified war against Ukraine and to immediately allow for the safe and secure passage of grain exports from the Ukrainian Black Sea ports.”

Japan has been providing assistance to Ukraine to help build and improve Ukraine’s grain storage capacity. It is also assisting Food Aid for Africa and the Middle East, which has faced food shortages, through international organizations, bilateral cooperation and Japanese NGOs.