EU welcomes truce extension in Yemen

BRUSSELS, Aug 2 (KUNA) -- The European Union Tuesday welcomed the announcement by UN Special Envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg that the parties have agreed to a further extension of the truce in Yemen until 2 October 2022.
Since 2 April, the truce brokered by the UN Special Envoy has provided tangible benefits for Yemeni men, women, and children, marking the longest period of relative calm in Yemen in more than seven years, EU lead spokesperson for foreign affairs and security policy, Peter Stano, said in a statement this evening.
The EU commended the parties for agreeing to extend the truce for two months. It is a decision that required responsible leadership and willingness to do what is in the best interest of the Yemeni people, noted the statement.
The 27-member bloc urged the parties to uphold their commitment to the truce and continue to work with urgency towards the full implementation of all its elements.
It is paramount that the parties continue to constructively engage with UN Special Envoy Grundberg's proposal for an expanded truce agreement, which seeks to address priority issues such as road openings, the payment of civil servant salaries and civilian pensions, additional destinations to and from Sana'a airport, as well as efficient and regular fuel deliveries to Hudaydah port, said the statement.
It called on parties also to work towards resuming a Yemeni-led political process under UN auspices. (end) nk.ibi