EU diplomats conclude visit to Aden

EU Ambassador to Yemen Gabriel Munuera Viñals, Ambassador of Austria to Oman & Yemen Christian Brunmayr Ambassador of France to Yemen Jean-Marie Safa, Ambassador of Germany to Yemen Hubert Jaeger, Ambassador of the Netherlands to Yemen Peter Derrek-Hof, Special Envoy of Sweden for Yemen Peter Semneby and Ambassador of Sweden to Saudi Arabia and Yemen Niclas Trouvé concluded a visit today to Aden. Ambassador of Norway to Saudi Arabia and Yemen Thomas Lid Ball was also part of the delegation. This is the third ambassadorial level visit of a European delegation to Aden in three years. 

 The EU diplomats met with H.E. Dr Rashad al-Alimi, President of the Presidential Leadership Council (PLC), along with Vice Presidents of the PLC. They expressed support for the President’s commitment for a lasting political settlement of the conflict. They also reaffirmed the need to preserve unity and political cohesion within the Council and welcomed his commitment to improve the economy, fight corruption and ensure service delivery to all Yemenis. The EU and Member States support all reforms aimed at unifying state institutions. They stressed the importance of meaningfully including women in key positions in government and the political process. 

 The EU diplomats also held meetings with Prime Minister Maeen Abdulmalek Saeed, Foreign Minister Ahmed Bin Mubarak and other members of the cabinet.

 During the visit, the EU ambassadors met with the Advisory and Reconciliation Committee, members of local civil society, human rights defenders, businesswomen, other economic actors and UN agencies 

 The EU diplomats reiterated their continued support for the efforts of the UN Special Envoy for Yemen to achieve a comprehensive political settlement. They warmly welcomed the extension of the truce and expressed the hope that it would lead to a lasting ceasefire. It is imperative to reopen roads around Taez. 

 The EU and its Member States are among Yemen’s top donors, teaming up to provide both humanitarian aid and development cooperation.