(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) The EU Monday welcomed a Saudi proposal to implement a five-day humanitarian truce in Yemen, starting on Tuesday as an "important opportunity" to deal with the humanitarian situation.
"This is an important opportunity to tackle the dramatic humanitarian situation in Yemen, especially now that the country is running out of essential supplies and basic public services are at a breaking point," said EU High Representative Federica Mogherini and the EU Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management Christos Stylianides, in a joint statement tonight.
The EU called on all parties to "rapidly abide by the truce without preconditions in order to ensure immediate and unhindered access of ordinary Yemenis in need to aid and essential supplies.
"All parties have to ensure the safety and security of relief workers and facilitate the passage of convoys and ambulances to the most affected populations without discrimination," it stressed.
The statement warned that "the escalation of the conflict, in particular at the Yemeni-Saudi border and in the province of Saada, carries grave risks for the stability of the region.
"The fighting sides have to refrain from the targeting of civilian areas and to fully respect international humanitarian law," it noted.
The EU took note of the announcement of a Conference of Yemeni parties in Riyadh on 17 May and added that it will continue to support all efforts, in particular those of UN Special Envoy to Yemen Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmad, for the resumption of inclusive political negotiations among the Yemeni parties.
"Yemen needs a sustainable settlement to the current crisis, based on a broad political consensus," it added. (end) nk.bs
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