UN is expecting an increase in exports of grain from Ukraine

New York, Aug 11 : The UN anticipates that grain exports from Ukraine to grow due to a deal that was signed by Moscow and Kiev, UN Export Coordinator Frederick Kenney said in New York.

"We have so far authorized 12 vessels to travel to Ukrainian ports with more than 370,000 metric tonnes of grain and other food items," Kenney added on Wednesday.

On Wednesday the 13th of March, there was a total of five ships were checked, he said, a new record.There are a number of ships are awaiting the approval to enter Ukrainian ports "and were expecting an increase" in applications for transit the Coordinator said.

In July, two warring factions Ukraine and Russia signed agreements with Turkey and the UN to export of fertilisers and agricultural products from three Ukrainian Black Sea ports, the news agency dpa reported.A dozen vessels have quit the ports of Chornomorsk, Odessa and Pivdennyi with more than 370,000 tonnes of cargo.

Following the Russian assault against Ukraine towards the end of February, Russia blocked the Ukrainian ports.Ukraine on the other hand had mined the entrances to the ports to avoid the threat of an Russian invasion.

Kenney said there were no incidents that threatened the security of ships.There were also no irregularities during the investigation of the vessels.

The checks in Turkey is designed to make sure that no weapons enter Ukraine or that other goods that grain arent exported.According to Kenney the relationship between officials of Russia as well as Ukraine has been positive "Ive been incredibly amazed with the amount of collaboration and coordination thats been demonstrated," the Coordinator added.int/khz/ .