Barran Press
Yemeni Foreign Minister and Minister of Expatriate Affairs, Ahmed Awad bin Mubarak, met separately with the ambassadors of the United States, France, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to Yemen on Wednesday, July 3, 2024, to discuss "areas of mutual cooperation between the two countries."
According to the official Yemeni news agency Saba, Minister bin Mubarak met with the US ambassador to Yemen, Steven Fagin, and discussed "developments in the situation in Yemen and ways to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries in various fields."
He also met with the French ambassador to Yemen, Catherine Colonna, where they discussed "recent developments on the Yemeni scene, reviewed bilateral relations between the two countries, and explored ways to strengthen them for the benefit of both friendly countries."
In a third separate meeting, bin Mubarak discussed with the UAE ambassador to Yemen, Mohammed Al-Zaabe, "ways to strengthen bilateral relations between the two brotherly countries at all levels and coordinate positions on issues of mutual interest."
During the meeting, the UAE ambassador reiterated "his country's steadfast position in support of the Presidential Leadership Council, the Yemeni government, the unity and stability of Yemen, and the integrity of its territories," according to Saba.
The UAE has been accused of supporting armed groups in southern Yemen advocating for the secession of South Yemen from its north, leveraging its position as the second largest contributor to the coalition supporting the internationally recognized Yemeni government. The coalition was launched on March 26, 2015, following the Houthi group's coup against the government and its takeover of the Yemeni capital Sana'a in late 2014 with support from the Iranian regime.
These meetings come amidst regional and international efforts to push the Yemeni parties towards signing an agreement to end the devastating war that has been raging in the country for nine consecutive years. These efforts are led by the office of the UN envoy to Yemen.