Grundberg in Sanaa to Consolidate Truce

UN special envoy Hans Grundberg (C) looks on after arriving at Sanaa International in the Yemeni capital, on April 11, 2022. (AFP)
UN special envoy Hans Grundberg (C) looks on after arriving at Sanaa International in the Yemeni capital, on April 11, 2022. (AFP)
TT

Grundberg in Sanaa to Consolidate Truce

UN special envoy Hans Grundberg (C) looks on after arriving at Sanaa International in the Yemeni capital, on April 11, 2022. (AFP)
UN special envoy Hans Grundberg (C) looks on after arriving at Sanaa International in the Yemeni capital, on April 11, 2022. (AFP)

The United Nations envoy to Yemen, Hans Grundberg, arrived in Sanaa on Monday to consolidate the truce that was announced earlier this month.

He is set to meet with leading members of the Iran-backed Houthi militias as part of his efforts to resolve the crisis.

A statement from his office said discussions will focus on the implementation and consolidation of the two-month UN truce. They will also tackle a comprehensive peace process that Grundberg is drafting.

The Houthis had refused to meet with Grundberg in September, shortly after he had assumed his post. He ended up meeting with their negotiations delegations on several occasions in the Omani capital Muscat.

The Omani Foreign Ministry revealed that envoy's visit to Sanaa was possible after a series of meetings and discussions between Oman's Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi and head of the Houthi negotiations delegation Mohammed Abdulsalam.

In a tweet, the ministry said the talks focused on consolidating the truce and the conditions needed to reach a comprehensive settlement in Yemen.



Egypt Says Partnership with Spain is Crucial

Traditional 'Fanous' lanterns are displayed at a local market in Al Sayeda Zeinab, Cairo, Egypt, 26 February 2025. EPA/MOHAMED HOSSAM
Traditional 'Fanous' lanterns are displayed at a local market in Al Sayeda Zeinab, Cairo, Egypt, 26 February 2025. EPA/MOHAMED HOSSAM
TT

Egypt Says Partnership with Spain is Crucial

Traditional 'Fanous' lanterns are displayed at a local market in Al Sayeda Zeinab, Cairo, Egypt, 26 February 2025. EPA/MOHAMED HOSSAM
Traditional 'Fanous' lanterns are displayed at a local market in Al Sayeda Zeinab, Cairo, Egypt, 26 February 2025. EPA/MOHAMED HOSSAM

The Egyptian government has said that the Arab summit which was held in Cairo was a confirmation to consensus among Arab and African countries, as well as the European Union and the UN, on the importance of accelerating the reconstruction process in the Gaza Strip and rejecting the displacement of Palestinians from their homeland.

It stressed that such displacement contradicts all principles of democracy and human rights that are fundamental to the developed world.

“The Arab summit reaffirmed that there is no solution to the crisis in the Gaza Strip except through the establishment of an independent Palestinian state,” said Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly on Wednesday.

The Egyptian position came during talks held between Madbouly and the President of the Spanish Senate, Pedro Rollan, at the government headquarters in the New Administrative Capital.

The Egyptian PM said relations between Cairo and Madrid were further strengthened following the historic visit of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi to Spain last February, during which an agreement was signed to elevate the relations between the two countries to the level of strategic partnership.

“This reflects both countries' desire to intensify cooperation across various fields through practical and effective frameworks that provide platforms for continuous dialogue and consultation on regional and international issues of common interest,” the PM said.

Madbouly affirmed that Spain is an important partner for Egypt, both as a member of the European Union, with which Egypt has strategic relations, and in terms of shared Mediterranean relations.

He also expressed Egypt’s desire to enhance relations with Madrid across all levels, including political, economic, and parliamentary, commending the trade exchange rates between the two countries, which reached approximately 4 billion euros in 2024.

Madbouly affirmed that these numbers could be doubled, taking into account the nature of the needs, exports, and imports of the two countries, as well as their relative geographical proximity and direct shipping lines.

Relations between Egypt and Spain lately developed after Cairo and the European Union signed in March 2024 a Joint Declaration, in which the two sides agreed to elevate their relationship to the level of a strategic and comprehensive partnership.

Rollan indicated that his visit to Egypt aims to explore ways to enhance cooperation with the Egyptian side in various fields, especially parliamentary affairs.
“We are taking serious steps to deepen our existing relations with Egypt and to broaden their horizons, as partnership with Egypt is a priority for Spain,” he said.