The United Arab Emirates has expressed satisfaction over the decision to extend the Black Sea grain export deal by four additional months.

The UAE Foreign Ministry issued a statement Thursday, praising the "intense efforts" of Turkey and the U.N. in extending the deal.

The statement underlined that the four-month period, which paved the way for the export of grain products from Ukraine and Russia via the Black Sea, would help eliminate the food deficits in the world. It would also be an aid to Ukraine's crippled economy.

The ministry expressed hope that these efforts would help establish peace between the two countries, while stressing on the importance of aligning views to promote international peace and stability.

Turkey, the UN, Russia, and Ukraine had signed an agreement on July 22 in Istanbul to resume grain exports from the ports of Chornomorsk, Odessa and Yuzhny and Pivdennyi, after being paused in February due to Russia's war on Ukraine.

Now, the landmark deal between Turkey, the UN, Russia and Ukraine has being extended beyond its original Nov. 19 expiration date.

The parties, who were negotiating a possible extension and expansion beyond its Nov. 19 deadline, concluded the export deal will retain its existing provisions.

Ukraine - a major exporter to the world - has shipped more than 10 million tonnes of crops through the Black Sea since the agreement came into force, led by corn and wheat cargoes.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also praised the extension of the agreement.

"I'm pleased that all parties involved have agreed to continue the Black Sea Grain Initiative, which will make it possible for Ukraine to export grain, foodstuffs, and fertilizers safely," Guterres said in a statement released by the Joint Coordination Center in Istanbul. "The United Nations is also fully committed to removing the remaining obstacles to exporting food and fertilizers from the Russian Federation."

The United Arab Emirates has remained largely neutral in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. While the UAE has strong economic ties with both countries, it has not taken sides in the conflict.

Instead, the UAE has called for a peaceful resolution to the conflict and has offered to mediate between the two sides.

Grain Field
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