“I reiterated Italy’s pledge to support the political and institutional transition in Yemen, which is proceeding in a decidedly positive way”, was Minister Giulio Terzi’s comment coming out of a meeting at the foreign ministry in Rome with his Yemeni counterpart Abu Bakr al-Qirbi.
“Yemen has weathered the Arab spring with intelligence, and handled a constitutional overhaul that has been important for the entire region”, with the support of external nations such as the Friends of Yemen group, which Italy is truly pleased to be part of”, Terzi said.
The group’s next meeting will be in Riyadh on 4 September, and “we will certainly be sure to add our support to this process ahead of the 2014 elections”, not least in regard to “the struggle against al Qaeda”. Italy is also contributing, among other things, “with aid involving navigation safety training programmes, collaboration with Yemeni coast guard immigration patrols and judiciary cooperation”.
Yemen, al-Qirbi asserted, is a “valid example of how to peacefully resolve an overwhelming political crisis”. “Even though we are a poor country facing difficult challenges, we have set the stage for political elections to be held two years from now”, al-Qirbi explained, adding that in the meantime “we will amend our constitution and make all the reforms necessary to allow the people to have a say in the future of their country”.
Yemen will be attending a donors’ conference to be held in Riyadh on 4 September and, on the security front, “we have had a series of successes” in the struggle against al Qaeda and piracy, in regard to which there is also “a partnership with Italy for the creation of a radar system”. He also specified that, “we intend to reinforce our friendship” with Italy.
