Brussels, 20/04/2015 (Agence Europe) - Seriously concerned at the rapid worsening of the political, security and humanitarian situation in Yemen, the European foreign ministers called on the Houthi rebels, on Monday 20 April, to stop their fighting and start a dialogue.
In the Council conclusions, the EU foreign ministers condemned the destabilising actions of the Houthis and the military units faithful to former president Saleh, and urged these forces to put an end to the use of violence “immediately and unconditionally”, and to withdraw from the areas they have seized - including Sana'a and Aden.
The EU ministers also reaffirmed their support for the legitimate authorities in Yemen. While Yemen's President Abd Rabbuh Mansour Hadi called on the Gulf Cooperation Council and the League of Arab States “to immediately provide support, by all necessary means and measures, including military intervention, to protect Yemen and its people from the continuing aggression by the Houthis”, the EU ministers reiterated that “the solution to this crisis must be political”. The coalition led by Saudi Arabia continues to proceed with air strikes on Yemen and civilian victims are becoming increasingly numerous.
Like the international community, the EU has called for an inclusive political process to be implemented. The EU foreign ministers called on all parties quickly to commit to a process leading to a swift end to the violence, and they urged all the Yemeni parties to return to the negotiating table.
“Only a broad political consensus through inclusive negotiations can provide a sustainable solution, restore peace, and preserve the unity, sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Yemen”, the EU ministers stated. “The formation of a government of national unity is the only way to finalise the transition process and avoid economic and financial collapse and the deepening of the humanitarian crisis”, they added.
The ministers also called on all the regional actors to engage constructively with the Yemeni parties so as to enable a de-escalation of the crisis and regional instability to be avoided. Although the Council conclusions make little mention of it, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini underlined, when she arrived in Luxembourg, that the EU was working to increase humanitarian aid to Yemen, while ensuring that it really does reach the country. (Camille-Cerise Gessant)