Romania agrees to allow Ukrainian grain bulkers to use Chilia, Bastroe canals

Romania's Foreign Ministry (MAE) informed on Wednesday that it had informed the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry of Romania's agreement to allow third-country-flagged bulkers loaded with cereals to pass through the Chilia and Bastroe canals.Romania's decision is part of the country's efforts to support Ukraine in order to reduce the consequences of the Russian Federation's premeditated, illegal and unjustified aggression against Ukraine.According to MAE, the Romanian side's agreement for the use of the Bastroe canal for the transit of grain-laden bulkers is exceptional in nature, given the importance of diversifying and streamlining the transport routes used for Ukrainian grain exports."With the agreement of the Romanian side, it was also underlined Romania's keeping up its position of principle regarding the development of the Bastroe canal for navigation purposes, as well as the need for the project to comply with the provisions of applicable international law, including environmental protection regulations," MAE added.At the same time, says MAE, Romania is keeping its commitment to continuing sustained efforts, on a national basis and inside the European Union, to facilitate the transit and export of grains from Ukraine, including through the Romanian Danube and Black Sea ports.MAE also highlights Romania's constant call for strengthening efforts to mobilise consistent international support to create a transit corridor, including a maritime component, for the shipment of Ukrainian grains to third countries amid a worsening food crisis generated by Russia's actions.    În this context, the Foreign Minister Bogdan Aurescu said on Wednesday that a memorandum on an agreement with Ukraine for the establishment of new border crossing points between Romania and Ukraine can be approved at the next government meeting, as all the necessary approvals are secured.He made the statement at a government meeting at the request of the prime minister, who asked him to present a deadline for completing the steps related to increasing the number of border crossing points."We already have all the approvals secured for the memorandum proposing to conclude an agreement by exchange of verbal notes with Ukraine in order to amend a previous agreement of 2012 on the establishment of the Racovat - Dyakivtsi, Vicovu de Sus - Krasnoilsk and Ulma - Rusca border crossings. Therefore, at the next government meeting we will be able to pass this memorandum, which means that the conclusion of the agreement will be possible soon," said Aurescu.Prime Minister Ciuca said in his turn that steps are being taken for the construction of a border crossing point with Moldova over a pontoon bridge under development on the banks of the Prut River.Aurescu said that the agreement also takes into account that fact."Basically, under this agreement amending the 2012 agreement, we are opening up the border crossings to heavy traffic. We are trying to facilitate a higher transit at the border crossing points with Ukraine. And you also mentioned the crossing point on the border with Moldova at that bridge," said Aurescu.