Barran Press
The Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Jassim Mohammed Al-Budaiwi, on Wednesday, July 24, 2024, welcomed the announcement by the UN Special Envoy for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, regarding an agreement between the Yemeni government and the Houthis on de-escalation measures concerning the banking sector and Yemenia Airlines.
In a statement published on the GCC website and monitored by "Barran Press", Al-Budaiwi expressed the GCC's "support for all regional and international efforts, as well as those led by the UN Special Envoy for Yemen, aimed at achieving peace and security in Yemen."
He stated that "this announcement reaffirms the international community's commitment to addressing the Yemeni crisis."
Al-Budaiwi expressed hope that "this announcement will contribute to creating an atmosphere conducive to the Yemeni parties initiating a political process under the auspices of the United Nations, leading to a comprehensive political solution that guarantees security and stability in Yemen and for its people."
The GCC Secretary-General reiterated the Council's "continued support and unwavering solidarity with Yemen, its government, and its brotherly people, and its commitment to encouraging all efforts to de-escalate tensions and maintain a ceasefire to achieve the desired peace."
On Tuesday, July 23, the office of the UN Special Envoy for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, announced that the internationally recognized Yemeni government and the Houthi group, designated as a terrorist organization by several countries, had agreed on several de-escalation measures concerning the banking sector and Yemenia Airlines.
Grundberg's office stated that it had received written confirmation from both parties, outlining their agreement to "revoke recent decisions and actions against banks on both sides and refrain from any similar decisions or actions in the future."
The agreement also includes resuming Yemenia Airlines flights between Sana'a and Jordan, increasing the number of flights to three daily, and operating flights to Cairo and India daily or as needed.
The agreement further stipulates that meetings will be held to address the administrative, technical, and financial challenges faced by the airline, and that discussions will commence on all economic and humanitarian issues based on a roadmap.
Grundberg acknowledged the crucial role played by Saudi Arabia in reaching this agreement, emphasizing the UN's readiness to work with both parties to implement the agreed-upon measures. He also offered his office's support for communication with authorities in Jordan, Egypt, and India.
The UN envoy stressed the need for both parties to collaborate in establishing an economy that serves all Yemenis and supports the implementation of a nationwide ceasefire and the resumption of an inclusive political process.
On December 23, 2023, the United Nations announced that the Yemeni parties had reached understandings to commit to a set of measures, including implementing a nationwide ceasefire, taking steps to improve living conditions in Yemen, and engaging in preparations for the resumption of an inclusive political process under UN auspices.
The roadmap and peace efforts in Yemen have been stalled since November 2023 due to attacks by the Houthi group, designated as a terrorist organization by several countries, against commercial ships in the Red Sea, the Arabian Sea, and the Gulf of Aden.