Yemen PM, EU Discuss Future Partnership

Alsharq Tribune- M.Essam 

The European Union has informed the Yemeni government that it will issue a statement about the situation in Yemen that will tackle the Houthi attacks on Red Sea navigation and the harm they have incurred in the country, region and world.

The EU last made such a statement in appreciation of the government three years ago. This time, it will be more explicit in condemning the Houthis, the sources added on condition of anonymity.

Yemeni Prime Minister Salem Saleh bin Braik held talks on Wednesday with Managing Director for Middle East and North Africa in the EU’s European External Action Service Helene Le Gal and EU Ambassador to Yemen Gabriel Vinals.

The sources continued: “The EU believes that the damage caused by the Houthis was no longer just a Yemeni problem, especially after their attacks on Red Sea shipping.”

This will determine EU policy and how to handle Yemen, they said. Wednesday’s meeting covered the current and future partnership between Yemen and the EU and the diplomatic, humanitarian and economic support it is providing to the war-torn country.

It tackled support to the Yemeni coastguard in their efforts to combat smuggling and protect international navigation, as well as joint coordination in confronting regional and international challenges, reported the Yemen’s Saba news agency.

The meeting reviewed the government’s service and economic priorities and its comprehensive reform efforts. The gatherers discussed Yemen’s humanitarian needs and efforts to ease the suffering of the people that has been compounded by Houthi attacks on oil facilities and Red Sea shipping.

They covered current and future cooperation and the EU’s support for Yemen and its preparations to hold a humanitarian conference in Brussels later this month.