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Foreign Minister Steinmeier after his talks with the Yemeni Foreign Minister

09.09.2016 - Press release

After his meeting at the Federal Foreign Office this evening with Yemeni Foreign Minister Abd al‑Malik Abd al‑Jalil al‑Mikhlafi, Foreign Minister Steinmeier issued the following statement in Berlin today (9 September):

The issue that dominated the talks with my Yemeni counterpart was the great suffering of people in that country. In Yemen, we are facing one of the largest humanitarian crises in the world. Germany is providing considerable support. However, for humanitarian assistance to get to where it is urgently needed, we need unhindered access to all affected areas, and the violence must end as soon as possible. All parties to the conflict are called upon to implement a ceasefire and to return to the peace talks. The only way to put an end to the conflict is through an inclusive political process. John Kerry has made new proposals for a political solution, and he is arguing for security issues being tied to questions related to political transition in Yemen. The United Nations Special Envoy for Yemen, Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, is currently holding talks with all sides to determine the way ahead. He has our wholehearted backing. We have a real opportunity right now to make headway towards a peace and reconciliation process. I hope the parties to the conflict will recognise and seize this opportunity that has presented itself to them and to the people in Yemen.

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