In a recent address during the celebration of the 75th anniversary of the European Union's establishment in Amman, Jordan, Gabriel Monroy Vinals, the European Union Ambassador to Yemen, spoke optimistically about the ongoing peace efforts in Yemen. Ambassador Vinals described the situation in the war-torn country as dire and unprecedented but highlighted that the diplomatic endeavors led by the United Nations provided a glimmer of hope for sustainable and comprehensive peace.

During his speech on May 15th, Ambassador Vinals emphasized the urgent need for all parties involved, particularly the Houthi rebels, to actively engage in the peace initiatives led by the United Nations. He strongly condemned attacks on civilian infrastructure and called for those responsible to be held accountable. Ambassador Vinals underscored the vital importance of the ongoing UN-led initiatives in achieving stability and long-term recovery in Yemen.

Furthermore, the European diplomat criticized the Houthi rebels, an internationally designated terrorist group, for their attacks on international navigation. These assaults have disrupted vital maritime routes in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, undermining hopes for peace in the country. Ambassador Vinals denounced these actions as reckless and highlighted the tragic consequences, including the loss of innocent lives among dedicated seafarers fulfilling their duties.

In addition to his concerns regarding maritime security, Ambassador Vinals reiterated his call for the release of the crew members of the Galaxy Leader vessel. The ship has been held by the Houthis since its seizure in November of the previous year. The European Union remains steadfast in its commitment to promoting sustainable and comprehensive peace, stability, and deeper integration of Yemen in the Gulf region. The EU also reaffirmed its support for Yemen's unity, sovereignty, and independence, along with its backing of the peace efforts led by the United Nations under the leadership of Special Envoy Hans Grundberg.

Ambassador Vinals highlighted the European Union's dedication to continuous and multilateral cooperation, independent human rights monitoring, addressing economic challenges, meeting life-saving humanitarian needs, and supporting maritime security. As part of these efforts, the EU announced an upcoming photography exhibition in collaboration with the Goethe Institute. The exhibition will feature the works of four Yemeni photographers and will be hosted at the National Museum of Fine Arts.

The European diplomat's remarks come at a critical time as the United Nations intensifies its efforts to persuade Yemeni parties to sign an agreement to halt the ongoing war, which has resulted in the world's worst humanitarian crisis, according to the United Nations. While the broad outlines of the UN's peace roadmap for Yemen were agreed upon in early December, progress was immediately stunted by the Houthis' escalated campaign of attacks in the Red Sea, which they claimed was an act of solidarity with Palestine.

The Houthi campaign, which has reportedly involved 112 attacks on ships, has led to a significant decline in maritime trade across the Red Sea and increased insurance costs. In response, the United States and the United Kingdom have undertaken efforts to destroy Houthi mobile missile sites. However, the Houthis recently announced plans to expand the scope of their attacks. Consequently, ship traffic volumes in the Red Sea remain relatively low, standing at 40-50% of the levels observed during the same period in the previous year.