The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, expressed on Monday 3 October the EU’s deep disappointment at the failure to reach an agreement on the extension of the truce in Yemen, as proposed by UN Special Envoy Hans Grundberg.
The truce was put in place on 2 April (see EUROPE 12925/27).
“The truce has delivered very tangible benefits to millions of Yemenis and Mr Grundberg’s proposal offers the possibility of significantly enhancing its impact, including payment of salaries to civil servants, additional flights to/from Sana’a, unfettered oil shipments through Hudaydah port and road reopening notably around Taez”, the High Representative said in a statement.
He called on the Houthi rebels to show “a genuine commitment to peace, moderate its demands and engage constructively”, with Mr Grundberg. According to Mr Borrell, refusing his proposal is a “strategic mistake”.
The Political Director of the European External Action Service, Enrique Mora, announced on 3 October that he had met with the Houthi spokesman to support the efforts of the UN Special Envoy. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)