site.btaRomanian Foreign Minister: Close to 20 Mln Tonnes of Ukrainian Grain Has Transited through Romania

Romania plays a significant role in the transit of grain and agricultural products from Ukraine, Romanian Foreign Minister Luminita Odobescu told Digi24. She said that close to 20 million tonnes of grain have already transited through her country, explaining that additional measures are in the making to facilitate the transportation of Ukrainian grain, including improving the road and railway infrastructure, as well as river transport. 

New border checkpoints have been opened, she said, adding that Romania is holding discussions with he European Commission about these solidarity corridors. There is a coordination platform for facilitating the transit of food products from Ukraine, Odobescu said, adding that efforts in that direction will continue. 
“We will increase these efforts to help Ukraine deliver its grain where it is needed. What Russia did in the Black Sea threatens the whole global food security,” the Romanian Foreign Minister said. 

Asked about the measures taken following the attacks on the Ukrainian port of Reni, she said there are a few related to coordination. According to her, NATO has established that the recent Russian threats concerning the Black Sea pose a risk of escalation and could affect the freedom of movement. 

In that regard, NATO and the allies have decided to enhance the monitoring and intelligence, including through naval patrols in the Black Sea. In parallel with that, there are coordination meetings with the European Commission and the US partners about the consolidation and increasing of the monthly volume of transport through Romania, Minister Odobescu said.