On Wednesday 19 October, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini stated that the 72-hour ceasefire that evening in Yemen "should be a first step in paving the way for the resumption of the UN-led peace negotiations".
In a press release, Mogherini said "the ceasefire must be respected by all sides and its duration extended so as to create the necessary conditions for such negotiations". She said that negotiations were the only efficient way of putting an end to the conflict and finding a long-term solution. This ceasefire is renewable and is the sixth attempt to end hostilities since the beginning of the Saudi Arabian-led coalition intervention in March 2015. Acts of violence were reported less than an hour after the beginning of the truce.
Mogherini also emphasised that the ceasefire will allow urgent humanitarian assistance to reach large parts of the population "that have been suffering drastic shortages".
She said that the European Union stands by the people of Yemen, "who are the first victims of this crisis", and remains fully committed to supporting the peace process through every effort, and to providing humanitarian support to all those affected by the conflict. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)