19/10/2020 (Agence Europe) – The EEAS spokesman welcomed on 17 October the release of detainees by the Yemeni parties on 15 and 16 October, in accordance with the agreement reached in Geneva last month. “This is a crucial step in the implementation of the Stockholm 2018 agreement, which also reminds us that progress can still be made through negotiation and compromise”, he said in a statement. The EU also welcomes the commitment of the Yemeni parties to continue negotiations on the prisoner exchange agreement. According to the spokesman, this “spirit of conciliation” should now translate into a comprehensive political solution to the conflict in Yemen. “The finalisation of the UN Joint Declaration and the implementation of the Riyadh Agreement are cornerstones in this regard” (see EUROPE 12364/19), he said. (CG)