Turkey will continue negotiations on the extension of the agreement, which allows the shipment of grain from the Black Sea ports of Ukraine, for 120 days instead of 60.

 Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said this on Wednesday, Reuters reports.

 "We have started negotiations according to the initial version of the agreement. The extension of the agreement is important. We will continue our contacts (on its extension for) 120 days instead of two months," Akar said.

 The parties to the agreement will evaluate and decide on the further extension of the agreement, Akar said, adding that Ankara hopes for a positive outcome.

 Since the signing of the UN-backed Black Sea Grain Initiative in Turkey on July 22, millions of tons of grain and other food products have been exported from Ukrainian ports, which has helped reduce world food prices from record high levels.

 During the negotiations, Russia offered to extend the agreement for 60 days, which is half of the previous term, but Ukraine rejected this offer.

 It will be recalled that the representative of the UN Secretary General Stephane Dujarric said that the organization is doing everything possible to extend the "grain agreement", the term of which expires on March 18.

 The so-called "grain agreement" was first concluded through the mediation of the UN and Turkey in July of last year for a period of 120 days. It made it possible to transport Ukrainian agricultural products across the Black Sea to the world market. In November, the agreement was extended for another 120 days.