Deputy Foreign Minister Olexandr Mischenko held a meeting with Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt to Ukraine Barakat Elleithy

During the meeting, the parties discussed the need to prevent the unloading in Egyptian ports of stolen Ukrainian grain that had been illegally exported from closed Ukrainian ports located in the temporarily occupied territory of Ukraine. In particular, the Ukrainian side informed the Egyptian Ambassador that, according to information available to the competent authorities of Ukraine, the bulk carrier NOVAYA ZEMLYA (IMO: 9549281; flag – Russian Federation), after loading cargo in the port of Feodosiia, located in the temporarily occupied Autonomous Republic of Crimea, is currently anchored off the port of Alexandria carrying approximately 20,000 tonnes of stolen Ukrainian wheat.

The above-mentioned bulk carrier has been included in Ukraine's national sanctions list pursuant to a Decree of the President of Ukraine. The Ukrainian side has informed the competent authorities of the European Union, the United States of America, and other partner countries accordingly, calling on them to impose similar restrictive measures.

On his turn, Ambassador Barakat Elleithy emphasized that Egypt adheres to international law and respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. He assured the Ukrainian side that Egypt would not accept vessels carrying stolen Ukrainian grain.

The parties agreed to maintain close contacts and a direct dialogue to coordinate efforts aimed at preventing vessels transporting stolen Ukrainian grain, illegally exported from Ukrainian ports in the temporarily occupied territory of Ukraine, from entering Egyptian ports.

The meeting also focused on intensifying bilateral dialogue at the highest political level and deepening cooperation in the fields of economy, trade, and agriculture, including in the context of preparations for the ninth meeting of the Ukrainian-Egyptian Intergovernmental Joint Commission on Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation, scheduled to take place before the end of this year. The parties also discussed cooperation in the consular sphere.

During the meeting, the parties exchanged views on the development of the security situation in the Middle East.