EU concerned over escalation of violence in Yemen
Sana’a, June 14, 2008 (YemenOnline) - The Slovenian EU presidency expressed on Thursday concern over the recent escalation of fighting in Yemen around Sa'ada and the expansion of the conflict to the outskirts of Sana'a and other areas.
The EU called on the Yemeni government to do "all it can to ensure that innocent civilians are not caught up in the conflict".
"The EU firmly supports the government and people of Yemen in addressing the country's economic, political, security and social challenges," the press release says.
Based on the assessment of needs and access to victims, the EU remains ready to consider urgent humanitarian assistance to victims, including the worrying number of internally displaced people.
The EU voiced the belief that only a political solution can achieve lasting peace, and called on all parties to show restraint and to work actively towards a negotiated settlement along the lines of the February 2008 agreement.
"The stability of Yemen is crucial for the people of Yemen and for the region as a whole," the presidency said.
The EU membership candidate countries Turkey, Croatia and Macedonia, the countries of the stabilisation and association process, potential candidates Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia, the EFTA and EEA countries, as well as Moldova, also aligned themselves with the declaration.
Source: STA news agency, Ljubljana
June 12, 2008
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