[26/January/2010]

By: Adel Assilwi and Mahmoud Assamiee

SANA'A, Jan 26 (Saba)- Yemen is facing the danger of becoming a failed state if it does not get support from the international community to improve its economy and help youth get alternatives to avoid extremism, Minister of Foreign Affairs Abu Bakr al-Qirbi has stated.

"The reality is the economic problem is the greatest reason behind all ordeals facing Yemen," said al-Qirbi in an interview with Reuters on Tuesday, a day before a due meeting in London to foreign ministers from across the world to discuss means of realizing stability in Yemen.

Over a question if his country has reached this level, he said: "I hope Yemen will not become a failed state," affirming there is a danger but he is optimist that Yemenis are able to face challenges and be away of political differences.

He says Yemen is facing dangerous challenges represented in employment among its youth" all this fertile ground for (youth) to return to fanaticism and this conversion will be a dangerous challenge."

He went on that employment level is 30 percent and that 65 percent of the country's population is under 25.

With participation of 21 delegations from Arab and foreign countries in addition to the United Nations, General Secretariat of GCC, Arab League, Donors and the Commissioner of the European Union, London Conference for Supporting Yemen will be held tomorrow Wednesday.

Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Abdul-Karim Al-Arhabi stated to Saba that London Conference resembles London Donor Conference held in February 2006 for it aims at gathering international support to help Yemen overcome the great challenges it faces.

Al-Arhabi, who is also the Minister of Planning and International Cooperation, affirmed Yemen's aspiration that the conference will work on enhancing the partnership between the government and donors via their contribution of greater role to support Yemen's efforts in field of reforms and development, as well as combating poverty and unemployment via long term programs.

The conference will focus on three main topics; economic, social, political and security issues in Yemen, means of enhancing Yemen's ability to face these challenges and activating mechanisms concerning donor support to reforms in Yemen and agreement with donors for coordination and cooperation between the two parts.

London Conference coincides with the announcement of Yemen's donors to increase their development annual support to the country.

The United States announced it will raise annual development aid to USD 150 million at the same time the European Commission revealed that it intends to increase its annual development aid to Yemen.

Meanwhile, the World Bank, Germany and Netherlands all announced to increase ceiling of their annual support to the country as well as financing development programs during this year 2010.

France, Spain and Italy also initiated to include Yemen within their list of countries need care.

During the past two weeks, several talks held between Yemen and its development donors and partners to come out with unified vision over expected outcomes of London Conference that will open new horizons of partnership between Yemen and its donors.

Prime Minister Ali Mujawar heads the delegation of Yemen in the conference.

The conference will include announcing the initiative of "the Group Friends of Yemen" which includes Arab and European Countries, besides the United Sates.

Earlier, British Ambassador to Yemen Tim Torlot stated the conference would include four aims represented in gathering support to help Yemen in development, economic, social, and political and security support. He denied what have circulated that the agenda would handle challenges facing Yemen from security and military prospect.

In Rome, Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini suggested establishing a group from Yemen friends of countries for cooperation with Yemen to enhance the country's capabilities in security field. The suggestion will be presented in the conference to discuss situations in Yemen.


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Saba