SANA'A, Jan. 30 (Saba)- President Ali Abdullah Saleh's official visits to Spain, Belgium and the European Commission's headquarters in Brussels is very important because they top the developed Yemeni-European relations particularly during the past two years either at the level of bilateral relations with each country of the European Union or at the level of the union as whole.

Director General of the Americas and Australia Department at the Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation Nabil Shaiban said talks to be held between President Saleh and the kings of Spain and Belgium and senior officials of both countries would help boost and promote the mutual cooperation relations between Yemen and their countries.

During President Saleh's visits, a number of agreements and understanding memos in various domains would be signed. Shaiban notified Spain plans to open a permanent executive office of the Spanish Development Agency in Yemen during 2008.

Shaiban signaled that President Saleh would pay a visit to Belgium to discuss several issues in relation to promoting cooperation ties between the two countries including cooperation in the fight against terrorism.

Shiban pointed out that Belgium understands that Yemen faces challenges in countering terrorism especially after two Belgian tourists were killed two weeks ago by suspected al-Qaeda gunmen.

Shaiban made it clear that President Saleh would meet at the European Commission with the EU external relations commissioner, Benita Ferrero-Waldner and other officials to discuss means of promoting Yemen's relations with the commission and rising its aids to Yemen.

The commission announced last June that it would provide € 81 million development aids to Yemen for 2007-2010.

The aids would be dedicated for supporting the government efforts in reforms and combating poverty through backing developmental projects in areas such as fisheries, health and providing support to the Social Development Fund and the civil society organizations.

The Yemeni-Spanish relations have been developed recently. Diplomatic delegations from the two countries exchanged visits. The Spanish government offered facilitations to Yemen to hold tourist promotion activities and at the London Donor
Conference it promised to provide $26 million for supporting the developmental projects in the country.

FR/YA