EU backs stable Yemen

SANA'A, Oct. 22 (Saba) – Deputy Prime Minister for Defense and
Security Affairs and Minister of Local Administration Rashad al-Alimi met on
Thursday
with a delegation from the European Commission led by Michael Merker. The meeting
focused on security and antiterrorism efforts in Yemen as well as assistance the EC
may
offer for the country in this regard. During the meeting, Merker affirmed the EU
support for Yemen and all efforts made to establish its stability and boot its
security.
Al-Alimi also met with the ambassadors of Spain and Italy and the EC representative
in Sana'a, and discussed the situation in the north and humanitarian aid provided
for
the refugees as the army continues to rid the northern provinces of Saada and Amran
of the Houthi insurgents. The government is doing its best to deliver aid for the
affected
by the clashes, saying further efforts are underway to set up safe pathways for
relief organizations to reach the displaced, al-Alimi said. Moreover, al-Alimi met
on Thursday
with France's envoy to Yemen Joseph Silva and the two discussed the bilateral
relationship between their countries. The meeting also dealt with arrangements to
launch the
LNG project at the Balhaf area in Yemen's southern Shabwa province. On Monday, The
European Union decided to strengthen its diplomatic representation in Yemen to an
embassy
level under an envoy-at-large. The move has recently been passed by the European
Parliament. A source at the Yemeni embassy in Brussels said the European Commission
would
start soon taking necessary steps to bring the decision into effect. The days to
come will witness events that will be aimed at strengthening the Yemen-Europe
political and
developmental relations. Later this month, the Yemeni-European Committee will meet
in Brussels and be chaired by Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affaris and
Minister of
Planning and International Cooperation Abdul Karim al-Arhabi. The October 27 meeting
will discuss ways to strengthen the partnership between Yemen and the European Union
to provide more development support for Yemen. And on October 28, the sixth round of
the Yemeni-European Political Dialog Committee will take place and be chaired by
Deputy
Foreign Minister Mohyee al-Din al-Dhabbi. The meeting will review aspects of
political and strategic cooperation between Yemen and the EU. The two sides will
also hold talks
on issues of mutual interest. FR