EU hails Yemen's PM appointment, renews support for Yemen transition
The Source: LUXEMBOURG\Hadhramaut\Saba - Monday -20/Oct./2014
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The European Union (EU) welcomed on Monday the appointment of a new Prime Minister in Yemen, calling on all political powers to engage constructively in this regard. "The EU urges the swift formation of a new inclusive government in Yemen and calls upon all political actors to engage constructively and support President Hadi in his efforts," the EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting said in a statement issued after a meeting held in Luxembourg today.
The council welcomed the appointment of Mr. Khaled Bahah as Yemen's new Prime Minister, and positively noted that his appointment was unanimously approved by the panel of presidential advisors.
The EU reaffirmed its commitment to continue supporting Yemen in its transition, calling on all regional actors to contribute positively to this process.
"The EU welcomes the signature of the Peace and National Partnership Agreement on 21 September and of its security annex, which offer a way out of the current crisis."
The EU Foreign Ministers urged the State institutions, political parties and social groups to work together to ensure the swift implementation of all parts of the Agreement, in line with the National Dialogue Conference's (NDC) outcomes and the GCC Initiative.
"The EU is concerned that slow progress in the implementation of NDC recommendations has significantly hampered Yemen's ability to tackle its pressing security, economic, and humanitarian challenges."
The EU unreservedly condemned the recent violence taken place in governorates of Sana'a, Sa'ada, Jawf, Amran, Mareb, and Hadramout, stressing that security is an essential prerequisite for the success of the transition.
"Those engaged in armed confrontation must lay down their weapons and act in keeping with the law and with state authority." The EU also renewed its firm commitment to support Yemen in its fight against terrorism.
The EU called on the Constitutional Drafting Committee (CDC) to "quickly deliver a draft Constitution, which preserves the unity, sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of Yemen." It also underlined that the preparatory steps for the constitutional referendum and for transparent and credible elections "must urgently be taken forward", including a transparent voter registration process.
The EU expressed continuous concern over the actions of spoilers and recalled that UN Security Council Resolution 2140 includes provisions on targeted sanctions measures against individuals or entities engaging in or providing support for acts that threaten the peace, security, or stability in Yemen. "It is a clear signal to those who aim at undermining state institutions and the transition process."
It congratulated Yemen for concluding an ambitious agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), calling on the Government to maintain its course on the necessary economic reforms, including by taking action to improve fiscal sustainability and fighting corruption in the public administration.
"More resolve is still needed urgently to alleviate the implications of these reforms on the most vulnerable part of the population," the EU Foreign Ministers said. "The EU remains deeply concerned that more than half of the population of Yemen is affected by the humanitarian crisis."
The EU urged all parties in Yemen to cooperate to protect civilians and to ensure immediate and unimpeded humanitarian access. "The magnitude of the humanitarian crisis calls for immediate short-term assistance; in the longer term, it can only be addressed by tackling its structural root causes through economic reforms."
It finally urged all donors to contribute to addressing humanitarian needs in Yemen.
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