The European Union (EU) urged Yemen’s warring parties to support peacemaking efforts exerted by UN Special Envoy to Yemen Martin Griffiths. This comes days after the internationally recognized government and Houthis locked a prisoner swap deal in Geneva.
The deal took place under the auspices of the UN and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
Calling for constructive engagement with efforts spent by Griffiths, the EU urged achieving a ceasefire and the rebooting of political talks.
The EU’s demands coincided with a similar Norwegian call made during a video call between the caretaker Yemeni Foreign Minister Muhammad al-Hadrami and Norwegian Foreign Minister Ine Eriksen.
According to Norwegian and Yemeni sources, Eriksen urged Yemeni parties to support Griffiths’ efforts and to back a draft joint declaration being prepared by the envoy to end the conflict in Yemen.
Griffiths' comprehensive solution plan, which he is currently discussing with the Yemeni parties, focuses on reaching a comprehensive ceasefire, agreeing on humanitarian and economic measures, and resuming the peace process.
“We support the efforts of the UN envoy to Yemen, and we urge the Yemeni parties to accept the draft joint declaration, respect international humanitarian law, agree to a ceasefire, and engage in a process of political consultations,” Eriksen said in a video call with Hadrami.
Last April, the Saudi-led Arab Coalition, in coordination with the Yemeni government, proposed a comprehensive ceasefire, but Iran-backed Houthi militias rejected to abide by the truce.
Eriksen, according to the Norwegian Foreign Ministry, urged the acceptance of the anticipated joint declaration by Griffiths, the securing of a ceasefire, the implementation of the Riyadh Agreement, and the rebooting of the political process.
“Only a comprehensive political process will resolve the conflict and bring peace to Yemen,” Eriksen stressed.
Hadrami, for his part, reviewed with Eriksen bilateral ties shared between Yemen and Norway and ongoing humanitarian developments in his country.