On Tuesday 20 May, the Council of the European Union called for renewed momentum in the peace efforts in Yemen, stating that a return to all-out war must be prevented.
“The EU reiterates its strong support to the UN mediation and regional initiatives aiming at a sustainable ceasefire in Yemen, the end of the attacks in the Red Sea and against Israel, and the return of the parties to meaningful negotiations for an inclusive political solution addressing the political, economic and security dimensions of the conflict”, the EU Council emphasised in the conclusions it adopted. The EU has expressed its willingness to increase its direct involvement to facilitate a return to dialogue between the various parties in order to reach an inclusive political solution.
The EU will continue to support the government and the Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) in their efforts to promote reform and good governance, urging them to strengthen internal unity and improve the delivery of basic services and rights to the Yemeni people.
The EU is also ready to support the government in developing “unified, inclusive, sustainable and economically sound” governance, to step up its support for the Yemeni Coast Guard and to take part in new efforts with its international partners to strengthen the Coast Guard’s capacity to patrol the sea and ensure freedom of navigation.
“The EU will maintain and enhance its strong engagement in the Red Sea through its defensive maritime operation EUNAVFOR ASPIDES, launched in February 2024”, promises the EU Council, which “commends the outstanding results of ASPIDES, which has escorted more than 440 ships over its first year of mandate”.
Deeply concerned by the continuing deterioration of the humanitarian situation, the EU calls for an intensification of aid and appeals to all parties to guarantee full and unhindered humanitarian access. The EU has provided more than €1.6 billion in overall aid since the outbreak of the conflict in 2015. The EU Council also “strongly” advocates the effective protection of human rights and respect for international humanitarian law throughout Yemen.
Finally, the EU and its Member States are committed to continuing their development aid wherever possible.
See the conclusions: https://aeur.eu/f/gxd (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)