Press Release: Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner visits Yemen and announces a minimum of EUR 60 million for assistance during 2007-2010

On 6 and 7 May 2007, European Commissioner for External Relations and Neighbourhood Policy, Benita Ferrero-Waldner, will pay an official visit to the Republic of Yemen, where she will meet with President Ali Abdullah Saleh, Prime Minister Ali Mohammed Mujawer, Minister for Foreign Affairs Abu Bakr al-Qirbi, and Minister of Planning Abdulkarim al-Arhabi. She will also have the opportunity to hold discussions with civil society and political parties, and address students at Sana’a University. While in Sana’a, Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner will formalise with the Yemeni authorities the 2007-2010 assistance strategy that the Commission has designed for the country, which is accompanied by a €60 million aid package. This strategy will focus on good governance, private sector development and human capital development. With this assistance, the Commission will contribute to improve governance, to alleviate poverty and help facilitate Yemen’s integration into the world economy. Further resources could be drawn from specific instrument addressing thematic issues such as food security.