[28/July/2010]

SANA'A, July 28(Saba)–Yemen and the U.K. discussed here on Wednesday the possibility of establishing a fund for financing development plans in Yemen and the vital role that can be played by the U.K. in this regard.

This came in a meeting gathered Prime Minister Ali Mujawar and the British Minister of State for International Development Alan Duncan. Talks in the meeting dealt with relations of cooperation between the two countries in the development field and the current priorities to support Yemen's efforts to overcome the challenges.

The two sides also discussed the coming meeting of the Group of Yemen Friends to be held in New York City at the level of Foreign Ministers as well as the ongoing preparations for its success,.

Mujawar valued the support positions of the UK to unity, security and stability of Yemen, reiterating Yemen's gratitude for the British government's decision to lift its annual developmental support to Yemen to £ 50 million. He reviewed the main developmental, economic, and security challenges in Yemen.

He voiced the Yemeni government's hope for more support by British friends, either through bilateral cooperation or through the Group of Yemen Friends to promote Yemen's ability to overcome these challenges, particularly in economic challenges.

For his part, the British official affirmed that his country would keep its support to Yemen weather through direct cooperation or through the Group of Yemen Friends to help the government to enhance the economic stability, meet the needs of development and face the challenges.

"We will play a supportive role through the Group of Yemen Friends in its coming meeting to the development efforts of Yemen and coordinating efforts to make the required effect on the development reality", he said.

BA

Saba