EU Diplomats Conclude Visit to Aden
EU diplomats conclude visit to Aden
28 October 2021
Today, Chargé d'Affaires a.i. of the EU Delegation to Yemen Marion Lalisse, French Ambassador to Yemen Jean-Marie Safa, Ambassador of Germany to Yemen Hubert Jaeger, Ambassador of the Netherlands to Yemen Peter Derrek Hof and Special Envoy of Sweden for Yemen Peter Semneby, concluded a visit to Aden.
The EU diplomats held constructive meetings with Prime Minister Maeen Abdulmalek Saeed, Foreign Minister Ahmed Bin Mubarak and other government officials, including the Governor of Aden, various political actors, civil society, women representatives, the Chamber of Commerce, the National Commission to Investigate Alleged Violations of Human Rights, and humanitarian actors.
The EU diplomats welcomed the presence of the Yemeni government in the temporary capital Aden and expressed their support to the efforts of the government to restore State functions. More than ever, a unified government serving the interest of all Yemenis is needed on the ground.
The delegation encouraged the government to improve economic policies, fight against corruption and deliver services to Yemenis across the country. They shared their deep concern about the economic hardship faced by the Yemeni population, notably the accelerating depreciation of the Yemeni Riyal. They urged the government to take concrete steps to tangibly alleviate the suffering of the people of Yemen.
In a constructive meeting with the Head of the Southern Transitional Council Aidaroos Al-Zubaidi, the EU diplomats emphasised the urgency of fully implementing the Riyadh Agreement. They highlighted the need to help the broad-based government to carry out its work from Yemen and to strengthen unified government institutions.
The EU diplomats expressed grave concern about the military offensive by Ansar Allah/the Houthis in Marib and the acute situation in Al Abdiyah. They condemned all violations of International Humanitarian Law and repeated the urgent call to stop the unacceptable offensive in Marib. There is no military solution to the conflict in Yemen.
The EU diplomats reiterated their continued support to the efforts of the UN Special Envoy for Yemen to achieve peace by means of an inclusive political dialogue leading to a comprehensive political settlement. The delegation recalled the importance of gender equality and meaningful participation of women and youth for reaching an inclusive peace agreement. The delegation regretted the absence of women in the government of Yemen.
Addressing impunity in Yemen remains a priority. The delegation strongly regretted the recent termination of the Human Rights Council Group of Eminent Experts. The wide scale human rights violations in Yemen require increased support to relevant local, national and international mechanisms that seek to promote accountability and strengthen respect for human rights.
The EU and its Member States are among Yemen’s top donors, providing both humanitarian aid and development cooperation. The visit underscored the EU’s continued commitment to Yemen, its future and that of its people.