German foreign minister in surprise Yemen visit

Germany’s govt says Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle has arrived in Yemen with the fate of a German family held hostage in the country likely to be an issue in talks with the president.

By (Agencies)

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Published: Mon 11 Jan 2010, 2:35 PM

Last updated: Wed 19 Feb 2020, 8:26 PM

Westerwelle became the first European minister to visit Sanaa since the Yemeni branch of Al-Qaeda claimed responsibility for a botched attempt to bomb a US airliner on Christmas Day.
He was to hold talks with President Ali Abdullah Saleh and other top Yemeni officials.
The visit follows the German minister’s talks in Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates on a tour focused on regional issues including the situation in Yemen.
“Based on his talks in the Gulf, Westerwelle made the quick decision to go to Yemen to get the feeling of the situation on the ground,” a member of his delegation said.
Germany is by far the biggest European contributor of development aid to Yemen, with some 79 million euros (114 million dollars) earmarked for the impoverished country for 2010-2011.
The foreign minister is concerned that further destabilisation in Yemen could have a negative impact on the entire region and beyond, the delegate said.
Westerwelle, who informed key European partners and Washington in advance of his visit, was expected to deliver a message that European and Arab partners seek a stable government in Sanaa.
But he was also to press for good governance.
The official said the minister would raise the issue of widespread corruption in Yemen while also calling for a national dialogue to resolve internal strife as a means to restore stability.
Five Germans, including three children, and a British national were kidnapped in Yemen last June.
 
 

• MENA