We welcome the agreement mediated by the United Nations Secretary-General's Special Envoy Hans Grundberg for a two-month truce for Yemen and the agreed confidence-building measures, including the import of fuel through the ports of Hodeidah and the opening of Sana'a airport. War is raging in Yemen for over seven years, with horrific consequences and suffering for the local population. The measures now agreed upon raise hope for an improvement of the humanitarian situation. The truce constitutes a long overdue step in the right direction. We call on all parties to the conflict to respect the truce, implement the agreed measures in the interest of the Yemeni people and engage constructively in talks to open roads in contested areas.

It is crucial now that the weapons remain silent - not only during the month of Ramadan but also beyond. We expect the parties to the conflict to seize this truce for UN-led talks on a permanent halt of fighting, further confidence-building measures and a peaceful solution to the conflict.

The Federal Government commends the United Nations’ Special Envoy for his commitment and pledges its continued and full support for his efforts to find a political solution to the conflict.