Brussels, 30/03/2016 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday 29 March, the EU said that all parties in Yemen should “capitalise” on the progress made in achieving a “dramatic” decrease in violence and military activity in the border areas between Yemen and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia since early March. It also sais that the parties should capitalise on the announcement by the Coalition that major combat operations in Yemen are coming to an end in order to agree on a lasting ceasefire and on parameters for a political solution.
“Inclusive political negotiations are the only way to achieve a sustainable settlement to the current conflict, by implementing in particular the provisions of UN Security Council resolution 2216, and the outcomes of the National Dialogue Conference”, a spokesperson for the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini once again stated in a press release.
The spokesperson added that the EU expects all parties to engage “in good faith” in the implementation of the national ceasefire announced for Sunday 10 by UN Special Envoy for Yemen, Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, and in the upcoming inter-Yemeni negotiations facilitated by the UN that are planned for 18 April in Kuweit.
According to the World Health Organisation, more than 6,200 people have been killed since March 2015 and 30,000 others wounded in the conflict in Yemen.
Elsewhere, Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed will be in Brussels on 4 and 5 April, where he will meet the European Parliament's foreign affairs committee on 4 April before meeting Mogherini on 5 April. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)