Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has called for a permanent mechanism to ensure the security of commercial maritime transport in the Black Sea amid the Russia-Ukraine war.

Axar.az reports, citing Turkish media, that Erdogan said Turkiye continues contacts with the parties to keep civilian maritime transport, trade routes and energy infrastructure out of the war.

“One of the issues we are sensitive about today is the security of the Black Sea. We continue our contacts with the parties to keep civilian maritime transport, trade routes and energy infrastructure out of the war. I believe there is a need for a mechanism that will permanently ensure the security of commercial maritime transport in the Black Sea,” he said.

Erdogan said Turkiye’s priority was to prevent the war from turning into a conflict involving new countries. He added that Ankara was ready to contribute to the re-establishment of negotiations when the necessary political will emerges.