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Turkey can re-export Black Sea grains to states in need - Erdogan

FILE PHOTO: NATO Summit in Madrid

ANKARA (Reuters) - Turkey can re-export grain products like wheat, oat, and barley from the Black Sea to countries in need after talks with Russia and Ukraine, President Tayyip Erdogan said on Friday, adding he would discuss the matter with both countries in coming days.

Ukraine is one of the top global wheat suppliers, but shipments have been halted by Russia's invasion, causing global food shortages. The United Nations has appealed to both sides, as well as maritime neighbour Turkey, to agree to a corridor.

Speaking after Friday prayers in Istanbul, Erdogan said his office was working with Kyiv and Moscow to set up calls with his counterparts and that 20 Turkish vessels were ready to take part in the potential shipments.

After talks with the leaders of Ukraine and Russia, "we can send wheat, barley, oat, sunflower oil and all to countries in need by carrying out a re-export through us," he said, adding Turkey's stocks were "in good shape" for now.

(Reporting by Tuvan Gumrukcu; Editing by Jonathan Spicer)