Ukrainian grain routes transiting Romania

Romania has agreed that Ukrainian ships transporting grain may transit the Chilia and Bystroye canals. The decision of the Romanian authorities comes in support of Ukraine, and is meant at curbing the effects of the war in this country. According to the Foreign Ministry, the decision is exceptional in itself, given the importance of diversifying and streamlining transport routes used to export grain from Ukraine. The consent expressed by the Romanian side also highlighted Romania’s plans on developing the Bystroye deepwater navigation canal, insisting that it should observe international provisions in the field, including environmental standards. At the same time, Romania remains committed to making efforts at national and European level to facilitate the transit and export of Ukrainian grain, including via the Romanian ports on the Danube and the Black Sea.

Construction works on the Bystroye Canal, linking the Danube to the Black Sea, started in 2004. Romania called on Ukraine to discard this project, considering part of the canal crosses the Danube Delta, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and breaches a number of international conventions in the field of environment protection, affecting certain wildlife species. International authorities ruled in Romania’s favor, yet despite official warnings, Kyiv inaugurated the canal in 2007. In the last four days, 16 ships have transited the canal, Ukrainian authorities say. In this context, military delegations from Russia, Ukraine and Turkey met on Wednesday with UN officials in Istanbul where they discussed the possibility of resuming Ukrainian grain exports from the port of Odessa on the Black Sea. Following the round of talks, the parties agreed to set up a coordination center that will guarantee the safety of navigation routes, Ankara officials say. An agreement is expected to be signed next week. At the same time, the parties agreed to perform joint inspections in ports. The meeting comes amidst soaring food prices reported at global level, in part due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

The world’s fourth largest grain exporter, Ukraine was forced to export its grain by rail via Poland, Slovakia or Romania. Its exports are currently blocked by Russian battleships in the Black Sea, while sea mines deployed by Kyiv also pose a problem. In recent weeks, Turkey, a NATO Member State, has stepped up its diplomatic efforts to help Ukraine resume its grain exports. According to Turkish authorities, 20 trade ships are currently waiting in the Black Sea to be loaded with Ukrainian grain.

(Mihai Pelin, Radio Romania International)