An agreement between the Yemeni government and the Southern Transitional Council in Riyadh, sponsored by Saudi Arabia, represents an important step towards reducing escalation and peace in Yemen and the region. Today, the country is closer to a comprehensive negotiated peace settlement to end the conflict that has made Yemen the world's worst humanitarian crisis.

The European Union encourages the signatories to take this opportunity to resume work towards a negotiated and sustainable peace under the auspices of the United Nations and to ensure that all Yemenis are involved in the reduction of escalation and the reconciliation process. We will continue to support the Office of the Special Envoy of the United Nations Secretary-General for Yemen in this area.

The European Union reaffirms its commitment to the unity, sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Yemen and calls on all parties to end the suffering of the Yemeni people.