German foreign minister: Two million tons of Ukrainian grains can pass on Danube, through Constanta

Two million tons of grains from Ukraine can be ferried on the Danube and through the port of Constanta this year, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said in a joint press conference with his Romanian counterpart, Bogdan Aurescu, in Bucharest on Friday.

"Your commitment is of great importance to our joint effort to unblock grain exports from Ukraine. 18 million tons of grains are in Ukraine, 18 million tons of grains that people in Africa and Asia are waiting for. Each day counts here, because parents ask themselves every evening what they can feed their children," she said, according to the official translation.

The head of diplomacy in Berlin spoke about the negotiations between Russia and Ukraine on the transport of blocked grain in the conflict zone.

"We hear from the UN and Turkey some early signs of hope that the Odessa maritime transport could be reopened. But it is too early to breathe a sigh of relief, because only after the first ship leaves the port of Odessa will we realize whether the promises are credible and will be sustainable and if they have hope. It would be irresponsible in these times not to work in parallel on alternatives, and we have done this together and I am grateful for that," Baerbock said.

She noted that "every tonne of grain in Ukraine counts." "On the Danube, two million tons of wheat from Ukraine can pass through the port of Constanta this year. It is not the total quantity, but it is an important part, because every ton counts. Two million tons of grains could be good for a country. Pakistan can feed its 16 million people. Every effort counts and it is worth it," the German minister added.

On Friday evening, Baerbock was in Constanta to discuss with representatives of German companies working in construction and railway infrastructure there.

"In June, we managed to transport 2.5 million tons from Ukraine, about half of the quantity exported in previous years," the minister explained. 

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