It is good that the parties are finally sitting down at the negotiating table in Kuwait after the long and difficult preparations. All sides are now called upon to participate constructively in the talks and to respect the agreed ceasefire. The direct talks between the Yemeni parties are an important step towards a political solution to the conflict, which has already claimed far too many lives. This is the only way to improve the catastrophic humanitarian situation in the country and to fill the political vacuum.

We will continue to do whatever we can to support the work of UN Special Envoy Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed.