US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken discussed the importance of expanding the Black Sea Grain Initiative during a telephone conversation with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan.
As reported by Ukrinform, this is stated in the statement of the spokesperson of the American agency.
"State Secretary Blinken discussed (with Fidan - ed.) the importance of expanding the Black Sea Grain Initiative," the statement reads.
It is noted that the head of the State Department also called on Turkey to support Sweden's membership in NATO.
"State Secretary Blinken emphasized the importance of NATO unity at such a critical time and called on Turkey to support Sweden in joining NATO now," the statement said.
The United States and Turkey have long-standing and deep bilateral defense ties, and Turkey's continued interoperability with NATO remains a priority, it said.
The European Commission evaluates the negotiations on the Black Sea Grain Initiative under the leadership of the UN and Turkey and calls on all parties to this agreement to continue its operation in order to ensure the supply of Ukrainian grain to its consumers on the world market.
