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Ladies and Gentlemen,

our meeting of the friends of Yemen comes at a crucial moment. President Hadi has taken significant steps to implement the peace initiative of the Gulf Cooperation Council. We commend his important decisions in restructuring the military and security sector.

The beginning of the National Dialogue marks another important milestone. We urge all political stakeholders to engage without preconditions. A unified, peaceful and democratic Yemen is a vision that all parties should endorse.

The recent clashes in Aden and Mukallah are very worrying. We support the efforts undertaken by President Hadi to calm the situation. The people in the South have every right to pursue their legitimate interests. But the right way is through dialogue and without weapons.

We also encourage the government to build confidence through further practical steps, also with respect to the Houthis. Germany welcomes the positive role the UN and Special Envoy Benomar have played in Yemen’s transition.

Yemen and Germany are traditionally close partners and friends. Our support focusses on Yemen’s transition and in particular the National Dialogue. I have just appointed an interministerial task force for Yemen to coordinate our support during the transition process.

The German government has committed itself to projects worth 158 million US Dollars in 2012. All of them are currently being implemented fully in line with the priorities of the Yemeni government.

We will hold a new round of government negotiations in fall. At this occasion we will agree significant further projects.

Today, I can also announce additional 1.95 million USD/1.5 million EUR for the UN led trust funds in support the National Dialogue conference.

Yemen has embarked on the right journey. Germany is fully committed to supporting Yemen in moving forward rapidly.