European Parliament 2014-2019 Delegation for relations with the Arab Peninsula DARP_PV(2017)0306_1 MINUTES of the meeting of 6 March 2017, 16.30-17.30 Brussels The meeting opened at 16.40 on Monday, 6 March 2017, with Michèle Alliot-Marie (Chair) presiding. 1. Adoption of the draft agenda (PE 598.347) The agenda was adopted without objects. 2. Approval of minutes of the meeting of 10 November 2016 (PE 580.972) The minutes were adopted without modifications. 3. Chair s announcements The Chair of DARP, Mrs. Alliot-Marie welcomed the guest speaker, His Excellency Mohamed Taha Mustafa, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Yemen to the Kingdom of Belgium and thanked him for his participation in the delegation meeting. The Chair recalled the importance of relations between the European Union and the countries of the Arabian Peninsula, in terms of economy, diplomacy and security. Regarding the latter, Ms. Alliot-Marie expressed concern about the current situation of uncertainty and instability that affects a very sensitive region like the Arab Peninsula, which have repercussions on Europe and other regions of the world. Europe is engaged in the promotion of progress, stability and wellbeing of people, goals that can be achieved through knowledge sharing and meetings among the parties, as essential factors to work together effectively. The Chair introduced the topic of discussion, highlighting the difficulties encountered on the path to achieving a peaceful resolution to the war in Yemen and underlining the effects that the protracted conflict in the country has at humanitarian level. PV\1119439EN.docx PE598.350v01-00 EN United in diversity EN
4. Exchange of views on the current situation in Yemen with His Excellency Mohamed Taha Mustafa, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Yemen to the Kingdom of Belgium The focus of the meeting was to have an exchange of views on the current situation in Yemen, on the humanitarian needs of Yemeni people and prospects of peace, after the outbreak of internal conflicts between the Houthis and the loyalist government forces in 2014. The guest speaker minutely described the conflict following a detailed timeline from the outbreak of the uprisings in 2011, following the wave of Arab Springs protests, to the coup of the Houthis in 2014. The Ambassador underlined the commitment of the legitimate government to democracy and inclusive participation of civil society, a project that is in standstill after the moment where the Houthis forces took over the state s institutions with a revolutionary committee. He recalled the efforts that the Yemeni government has made to negotiate with the opposition in order to achieve a peaceful solution, as proven by the meetings held in Kuwait in 2016 and in Geneva this year. The guest speaker stated that, as today, the efforts have not been translated into an agreement, due to the unwillingness of the Houthi forces to participate in negotiations. In fact, despite all the attempts to strike a political solution, a military response seemed the only feasible way to deal with the issue. In this regard, the Yemeni Ambassador underlined the importance of the GCC member states, particularly Saudi Arabia, for the institution of an Arab coalition to support the regime headed by President Hadi, which has been operating successfully on military grounds to re-establish territorial control. The protracted conflict has led to the deterioration of the living conditions of the Yemeni population due to Houthis ransack of national resources, among which the National Bank, that resulted in Yemenis deprivation of their most basic needs. The Yemeni government has asked for humanitarian assistance of USD 2.1 billion, out of which only USD 43 million are secured so far, mainly provided by the GCC, the EU and UN agencies. The Ambassador highlighted the necessity of humanitarian engagement in Yemen in order to deal with the growing famine as well as the serious social hardship that the country is facing, among which using children for military purposes, underage marriages, kidnappings, forced disappearances and illegal detentions. The military operations led by Yemen s legitimate government have been successful in reestablishing control of 85% of the national territory, among which Mocha, the west and south coastlines of the Red Sea. The achievement of this objective has been possible thanks to regional allies and American engagement in a war against terrorism, which is raged by the Yemeni government against the Houthi militias, which are being supported financially and militarily by Iran, and currently control the border region with Saudi Arabia. In this regard, the Yemeni Ambassador stressed the need for the Iranian interference in Yemeni domestic affairs to stop as a necessary step towards achieving a peaceful solution to the ongoing conflict. The Chair of DARP thanked the Yemeni Ambassador for his global and concise presentation of the current situation in Yemen. She then gave the floor to the Members of DARP for their questions to the guest speaker. EN Mr. Borghezio (ENFG, Italy) enquired about possible future geopolitical developments, as well as the extent to which the EU has been engaged in the resolution of the conflict. He expressed concern regarding the security threats from the sea with the attacks that occur against Saudi PE598.350v01-00 2/9 PV\1119439EN.docx
N Arabian ships. This means that the conflict could extend and aggravate. Mr Borghezio asked the Ambassador whether he thinks that the EU has done everything necessary to ensure that pressure on Iran continues and the peace process can proceed. The EU is constantly in dialogue with Iran on the key-turning point on the nuclear issue. Ha also wondered whether the EU might not be able to exert the definitive pressure necessary on Iran in order to reach a situation in which the peace process could proceed. Given the strategic importance of Yemen and the seriousness of the humanitarian situation, the Yemeni authorities will have support from the group for all activities in that context. Any anti-humanitarian actions and military activity show that there is a risk for stability in the region and that humanitarian values are at risk. The Ambassador drew attention to the fact that Iran would like the conflict to continue and expand. Iran s role in the current war as a regional destabiliser, in compliance with a wider and long-term strategic long-term goal of Tehran to expand the conflict to the region, as predicted by the 1979 Islamic Revolution, which Iran wants to export. He recalled that the Houti Militia represent the centre through which the Iranians can influence what is happening in all the countries of the Arab Peninsula, mainly Saudi Arabia. The Ambassador stated that the EU has not exerted any pressure on Iran vis-à-vis Yemen. He called on the EU to exert more pressure on Iran in order to limit Tehran s hegemony in Yemen and in the region. The speaker recognises the involvement of EU in humanitarian projects implemented in the country. Mrs Vallina, Member of DARP (CGEUL-NGL, Spain), took the floor in order to introduce herself and inform those present of her interest in the discussions with the Ambassador of Yemen, but, because of linguistic reasons, she is unable to express her views on the topic today. She will actively participate in a meeting of the Delegation when Spanish interpretation is available. The Chair of DARP, Mrs Alliot-Marie requested clarification concerning Yemen s diplomatic and strategic plan, more specifically about possible future developments in the evolution of the situation in the Gulf region with regard to the new American administration, the safe zones in Yemen, where people can live normally once again. She also asked about the displaced Yemeni people in Yemen and in other countries because of the conflict, the most urgent humanitarian needs, as well as about the challenges faced by the Yemeni army: does the army have enough material to deal with attacks from the Militia. What role could the Yemeni army play in the GCC? The Ambassador replied by acknowledging the renewed support of the USA to the legitimate government under the Presidency of Mr. Mansour Hadi. The US Administration are trying to find a peaceful solution to the Yemeni crisis. However, he admitted that he could predict the future regarding the vision of the new American government. The US are involved in all of the anti-al Qaeda and anti-is operations as part of a wider plan of defeating terrorist organizations operating in the region. The collaboration of regional allies and U.S. has been vital to strengthen Yemeni army in ammunition and training, which has contributed to the achievement of successful results on the battlefield. Due to the conflict, Yemen counts 3 million externally displaced persons relocated in the neighbouring countries due to the growing basic needs in Yemen. Yemen needs humanitarian assistance, medication, doctors, food, everything. Regarding the army, the Ambassador reminded that the former President of Yemen had placed PV\1119439EN.docx 3/9 PE598.350v01-00 E
his family at the head of the army. The elite, namely the Republican Guard, is still in place. This is the reason why the legitimate government does not have much power. In the last 2 years, with support from Saudi Arabia and other countries of the Gulf, Yemen has managed to create a national army, which has been successful in several areas of the country. Ms. Satau, Ambassador of the Islamic Cooperation Organisation, took the floor and commented on the importance of the commitment to build of a stable and secure Yemen as the first step towards the economic and social development of the country that needs peace and stability. Any political solution to the conflict in Yemen will involve the GCC initiatives and its implementation mechanisms. It will be the result of an inclusive dialogue and the UNSC resolution will be important. She subsequently called on the EU to participate in the donors conference for humanitarian aid, scheduled to take place in cooperation with the GCC at the end of March 2017. To conclude, Ms. Alliot-Marie asked about the role that Yemen expect the EU to play in this regard, given its unique geographical nature. The speaker answered that the government of Yemen expect the EU to deploy all its efforts to put pressure on Iran, despite the good relations between the EU and Iran and the common interests. He underlined the commitment of the Yemeni government to establishing sustainable peace and stability in the country, with the institutionalisation of a coalition government of a federal state sharing the common wealth and representing all the segments of the Yemeni civil society. 5. Any other business There was no other business. 6. Date and place of next meeting The next meeting of the Delegation will take place on 27 March 2017. The meeting closed at 17.40. EN PE598.350v01-00 4/9 PV\1119439EN.docx
ПРИСЪСТВЕН ЛИСТ/LISTA DE ASISTENCIA/PREZENČNÍ LISTINA/DELTAGERLISTE/ ANWESENHEITSLISTE/KOHALOLIJATE NIMEKIRI/ΚΑΤΑΣΤΑΣΗ ΠΑΡΟΝΤΩΝ/RECORD OF ATTENDANCE/ LISTE DE PRÉSENCE/POPIS NAZOČNIH/ELENCO DI PRESENZA/APMEKLĒJUMU REĢISTRS/DALYVIŲ SĄRAŠAS/ JELENLÉTI ÍV/REĠISTRU TA' ATTENDENZA/PRESENTIELIJST/LISTA OBECNOŚCI/LISTA DE PRESENÇAS/ LISTĂ DE PREZENŢĂ/PREZENČNÁ LISTINA/SEZNAM NAVZOČIH/LÄSNÄOLOLISTA/DELTAGARLISTA Бюро/Mesa/Předsednictvo/Formandskabet/Vorstand/Juhatus/Προεδρείο/Bureau/Predsjedništvo/Ufficio di presidenza/prezidijs/ Biuras/Elnökség/Prezydium/Birou/Predsedníctvo/Predsedstvo/Puheenjohtajisto/Presidiet (*) Michèle Alliot-Marie (P) Членове/Diputados/Poslanci/Medlemmer/Mitglieder/Parlamendiliikmed/Μέλη/Members/Députés/Zastupnici/Deputati/Deputāti/Nariai/ Képviselõk/Membri/Leden/Posłowie/Deputados/Deputaţi/Jäsenet/Ledamöter Mario Borghezio, Ángela Vallina Заместници/Suplentes/Náhradníci/Stedfortrædere/Stellvertreter/Asendusliikmed/Αναπληρωτές/Substitutes/Suppléants/Zamjenici/ Supplenti/Aizstājēji/Pavaduojantysnariai/Póttagok/Sostituti/Plaatsvervangers/Zastępcy/Membros suplentes/supleanţi/náhradníci/ Namestniki/Varajäsenet/Suppleanter 200 (2) 206 (3) 53 (6) (Точка от дневния ред/punto del orden del día/bod pořadu jednání (OJ)/Punkt på dagsordenen/tagesordnungspunkt/ Päevakorra punkt/ημερήσια Διάταξη Σημείο/Agenda item/point OJ/Točka dnevnog reda/punto all'ordine del giorno/darba kārtības punkts/darbotvarkės punktas/napirendi pont/punt Aġenda/Agendapunt/Punkt porządku dziennego/ponto OD/Punct de pe ordinea de zi/bod programu schôdze/točka UL/Esityslistan kohta/föredragningslista punkt) N PV\1119439EN.docx 5/9 PE598.350v01-00 E
Наблюдатели/Observadores/Pozorovatelé/Observatører/Beobachter/Vaatlejad/Παρατηρητές/Observers/Observateurs/Promatrači/ Osservatori/Novērotāji/Stebėtojai/Megfigyelők/Osservaturi/Waarnemers/Obserwatorzy/Observadores/Observatori/Pozorovatelia/ Opazovalci/Tarkkailijat/Observatörer По покана на председателя/por invitación del presidente/na pozvání předsedy/efter indbydelse fra formanden/auf Einladung des Vorsitzenden/Esimehe kutsel/με πρόσκληση του Προέδρου/At the invitation of the Chair(wo)man/Sur l'invitation du président/ Na poziv predsjednika/su invito del presidente/pēc priekšsēdētāja uzaicinājuma/pirmininkui pakvietus/az elnök meghívására/ Fuq stedina taċ-'chairman'/op uitnodiging van de voorzitter/na zaproszenie Przewodniczącego/A convite do Presidente/La invitaţia preşedintelui/na pozvanie predsedu/na povabilo predsednika/puheenjohtajan kutsusta/på ordförandens inbjudan H.E. Mr Mohamed Taha Mustafa, Ambassador of Yemen Съвет/Consejo/Rada/Rådet/Rat/Nõukogu/Συμβούλιο/Council/Conseil/Vijeće/Consiglio/Padome/Taryba/Tanács/Kunsill/Raad/ Conselho/Consiliu/Svet/Neuvosto/Rådet (*) Комисия/Comisión/Komise/Kommissionen/Kommission/Euroopa Komisjon/Επιτροπή/Commission/Komisija/Commissione/Bizottság/ Kummissjoni/Commissie/Komisja/Comissão/Comisie/Komisia/Komissio/Kommissionen (*) Европейска служба за външна дейност/servicio Europeo de Acción Exterior/Evropská služba pro vnější činnost/ EU-Udenrigstjenesten/Europäischer Auswärtiger Dienst/Euroopa välisteenistus/ευρωπαϊκή Υπηρεσία Εξωτερικής Δράσης/European External Action service/service européen pour l'action extérieure/europska služba za vanjsko djelovanje/servizio europeo per l azione esterna/eiropas Ārējās darbības dienests/europos išorės veiksmų tarnyba/európai Külügyi Szolgálat/Servizz Ewropew għall-azzjoni Esterna/Europese dienst voor extern optreden/europejska Służba Działań Zewnętrznych/Serviço Europeu para a Acção Externa/ Serviciul european pentru acţiune externă/európska služba pre vonkajšiu činnosť/evropska služba za zunanje delovanje/euroopan ulkosuhdehallinto/europeiska avdelningen för yttre åtgärd (*) Willem Brinkmann, EEAS Yemen Desk Michela Pavoncello, EEAS EP Affairs Abdullatif Alaamer, EEAS EP Affairs Други институции/otras instituciones/ostatní orgány a instituce/andre institutioner/andere Organe/Muud institutsioonid/ Άλλα θεσμικά όργανα/other institutions/autres institutions/druge institucije/altre istituzioni/citas iestādes/kitos institucijos/ Más intézmények/istituzzjonijiet oħra/andere instellingen/inne instytucje/outras Instituições/Alte instituţii/iné inštitúcie/muut toimielimet/andra institutioner/organ EN PE598.350v01-00 6/9 PV\1119439EN.docx
Други участници/otros participantes/ostatní účastníci/endvidere deltog/andere Teilnehmer/Muud osalejad/επίσης Παρόντες/Other participants/autres participants/drugi sudionici/altri partecipanti/citi klātesošie/kiti dalyviai/más résztvevők/parteċipanti ohra/andere aanwezigen/inni uczestnicy/outros participantes/alţi participanţi/iní účastníci/drugi udeleženci/muut osallistujat/övriga deltagare Humaidan, UAE embassy H.E. Mr Abushahab, UAE Ambassador Loay Al-Aswadi, Yemen embassy Yazan Al-Eryani, Yemen embassy Ahlam Al-Mofhli, Yemen embassy Sow Hadiatou, OCI G. Hafiz, Saudi embassy S. Alkhalifah, Saudi embassy Mohamed Omar Ayaz, Saudi embassy Fahad Alfadhli, Kuwait embassy Arfah Sameer, Oman embassy Saeed Saeed, Bahrain embassy Секретариат на политическите групи/secretaría de los Grupos políticos/sekretariát politických skupin/gruppernes sekretariat/ Sekretariat der Fraktionen/Fraktsioonide sekretariaat/γραμματεία των Πολιτικών Ομάδων/Secretariats of political groups/secrétariat des groupes politiques/tajništva klubova zastupnika/segreteria gruppi politici/politisko grupu sekretariāts/frakcijų sekretoriai/ Képviselőcsoportok titkársága/segretarjat gruppi politiċi/fractiesecretariaten/sekretariat Grup Politycznych/Secr. dos grupos políticos/secretariate grupuri politice/sekretariát politických skupín/sekretariat političnih skupin/poliittisten ryhmien sihteeristöt/ Gruppernas sekretariat PPE S&D ECR ALDE Verts/ALE GUE/NGL EFDD ENF NI Gabor Török Richard King Itziar Munoa Salaverria Кабинет на председателя/gabinete del Presidente/Kancelář předsedy/formandens Kabinet/Kabinett des Präsidenten/Presidendi kantselei/γραφείο Προέδρου/President's Office/Cabinet du Président/Ured predsjednika/gabinetto del Presidente/Priekšsēdētāja kabinets/pirmininko kabinetas/elnöki hivatal/kabinett tal-president/kabinet van de Voorzitter/Gabinet Przewodniczącego/Gabinete do Presidente/Cabinet Preşedinte/Kancelária predsedu/urad predsednika/puhemiehen kabinetti/talmannens kansli Кабинет на генералния секретар/gabinete del Secretario General/Kancelář generálního tajemníka/generalsekretærens Kabinet/ Kabinett des Generalsekretärs/Peasekretäri büroo/γραφείο Γενικού Γραμματέα/Secretary-General's Office/Cabinet du Secrétaire général/ured glavnog tajnika/gabinetto del Segretario generale/ģenerālsekretāra kabinets/generalinio sekretoriaus kabinetas/ Főtitkári hivatal/kabinett tas-segretarju Ġenerali/Kabinet van de secretaris-generaal/gabinet Sekretarza Generalnego/Gabinete do Secretário-Geral/Cabinet Secretar General/Kancelária generálneho tajomníka/urad generalnega sekretarja/pääsihteerin kabinetti/ Generalsekreterarens kansli N PV\1119439EN.docx 7/9 PE598.350v01-00 E
EN PE598.350v01-00 8/9 PV\1119439EN.docx
Генерална дирекция/dirección General/Generální ředitelství/generaldirektorat/generaldirektion/peadirektoraat/γενική Διεύθυνση/ Directorate-General/Direction générale/glavna uprava/direzione generale/ģenerāldirektorāts/generalinis direktoratas/főigazgatóság/ Direttorat Ġenerali/Directoraten-generaal/Dyrekcja Generalna/Direcção-Geral/Direcţii Generale/Generálne riaditeľstvo/generalni direktorat/pääosasto/generaldirektorat DG PRES DG IPOL DG EXPO DG EPRS DG COMM DG PERS DG INLO DG TRAD DG INTE DG FINS DG ITEC DG SAFE François Massoulié, Chiara Casati, Ines Aouaj Правна служба/servicio Jurídico/Právní služba/juridisk Tjeneste/Juristischer Dienst/Õigusteenistus/Νομική Υπηρεσία/Legal Service/ Service juridique/pravna služba/servizio giuridico/juridiskais dienests/teisės tarnyba/jogi szolgálat/servizz legali/juridische Dienst/ Wydział prawny/serviço Jurídico/Serviciu Juridic/Právny servis/oikeudellinen yksikkö/rättstjänsten Секретариат на комисията/secretaría de la comisión/sekretariát výboru/udvalgssekretariatet/ausschusssekretariat/komisjoni sekretariaat/γραμματεία επιτροπής/committee secretariat/secrétariat de la commission/tajništvo odbora/segreteria della commissione/ Komitejas sekretariāts/komiteto sekretoriatas/a bizottság titkársága/segretarjat tal-kumitat/commissiesecretariaat/sekretariat komisji/ Secretariado da comissão/secretariat comisie/sekretariat odbora/valiokunnan sihteeristö/utskottssekretariatet Aneta Popescu-Black Сътрудник/Asistente/Asistent/Assistent/Assistenz/Βοηθός/Assistant/Assistente/Palīgs/Padėjėjas/Asszisztens/Asystent/Pomočnik/ Avustaja/Assistenter Nicole Devos * (P) = Председател/Presidente/Předseda/Formand/Vorsitzender/Esimees/Πρόεδρος/Chair(wo)man/Président/Predsjednik/Priekšsēdētājs/ Pirmininkas/Elnök/'Chairman'/Voorzitter/Przewodniczący/Preşedinte/Predseda/Predsednik/Puheenjohtaja/Ordförande (VP) = Заместник-председател/Vicepresidente/Místopředseda/Næstformand/Stellvertretender Vorsitzender/Aseesimees/Αντιπρόεδρος/ Vice-Chair(wo)man/Potpredsjednik/Vice-Président/Potpredsjednik/Priekšsēdētāja vietnieks/pirmininko pavaduotojas/alelnök/ Viċi 'Chairman'/Ondervoorzitter/Wiceprzewodniczący/Vice-Presidente/Vicepreşedinte/Podpredseda/Podpredsednik/ Varapuheenjohtaja/Vice ordförande (M) = Член/Miembro/Člen/Medlem./Mitglied/Parlamendiliige/Μέλος/Member/Membre/Član/Membro/Deputāts/Narys/Képviselő/ Membru/Lid/Członek/Membro/Membru/Člen/Poslanec/Jäsen/Ledamot (F) = Длъжностно лице/funcionario/úředník/tjenestemand/beamter/ametnik/υπάλληλος/official/fonctionnaire/dužnosnik/ Funzionario/Ierēdnis/Pareigūnas/Tisztviselő/Uffiċjal/Ambtenaar/Urzędnik/Funcionário/Funcţionar/Úradník/Uradnik/Virkamies/ Tjänsteman N PV\1119439EN.docx 9/9 PE598.350v01-00 E