Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister Olexandr Mischenko has urged Egypt to prevent vessels carrying grain allegedly stolen from occupied Ukrainian territories from unloading at Egyptian ports.
Mischenko raised the issue during a meeting with Egypt’s Ambassador to Ukraine, Barakat Elleithy.
The Ukrainian side said the Russian-flagged bulk carrier Novaya Zemlya was anchored off Alexandria carrying approximately 20,000 tonnes of wheat loaded at the port of Feodosiia in Russian-controlled Crimea.
Ukraine alleges that the grain was illegally exported from a closed Ukrainian port in occupied territory.
The vessel has been added to Ukraine’s national sanctions list under a presidential decree. Kyiv said it had also informed the European Union, the United States and other partners, asking them to impose similar restrictions.
Elleithy reaffirmed Egypt’s commitment to international law and its respect for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. He assured the Ukrainian side that Egypt would not accept vessels carrying stolen Ukrainian grain.
The two sides agreed to maintain direct communication and coordinate efforts to prevent ships carrying illegally exported Ukrainian grain from entering Egyptian ports.
The meeting also addressed plans to strengthen political dialogue and expand cooperation in trade, agriculture and other economic sectors.
Discussions covered preparations for the ninth meeting of the Ukrainian-Egyptian Intergovernmental Joint Commission on Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation, which is expected to take place before the end of the year.
The officials also discussed consular cooperation and exchanged views on security developments in the Middle East.
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