Statement by Permanent Representative Vassily Nebenzia at UN Security Council briefing on the situation in Yemen
Mme.President,
We thank Mr. Hans Grundberg and Ms. Ghada Eltahir Mudawi for the briefings. We closely followed the remarks by Ms. Entesar Al-Qadhi.
Mr.Grundberg, you are getting down to a very complex file, so we trust that you will start establishing substantive dialogue between the opposing sides in the interests of prompt de-escalation without delay. We will be actively supporting the efforts of the Special Envoy with account for our position in favor of the central role of the United Nations in Yemen’s political settlement. We are convinced that UN mediation will be able to reconcile many contesting actors of the Yemeni landscape. Regional states can play a meaningful role; we are always ready to support their constructive input.
As of today, we see that standstill of the peace process has triggered a new round of escalation on the fronts, including Marib, and intensified air attacks against the territory of Saudi Arabia. We call upon all sides to act in a reserved manner, put an end to hostilities in order to avoid casualties among civilians in the first place. We have always said and we will say again that there is no alternative to talks that should take into account the interests of all Yemeni forces.
On our part, we will further encourage the Yemeni authorities, and “Ansar Allah” movement to act constructively and be ready for compromise when addressing the existing disputes. The international community is united on the issue of the Yemeni file: its main goal is to ensure comprehensive and lasting settlement of the conflict that is having a negative impact on the entire region.
Mme.President,
Dire socio-economic situation in the country raises our particular concern. We reiterate the need to fully lift the sea, air, and land blockade of Yemen, cancel restrictions on deliveries of food, medicines, fuel and other basic goods to all areas of the country. Yemenis urgently need humanitarian assistance to be rendered on a depoliticized and non-discriminatory basis.
We are also very worried by the unstopping attacks on civil facilities. We strongly call upon the opposing sides to strictly follow the provisions of the international humanitarian law, immediately and fully reject combat operations that cause casualties among civilians and destroy the non-military infrastructure.
Mme.President,
We are convinced that Security Council’s support for the Special Envoy in implementing a well-balanced policy towards soonest settlement in Yemen is crucial. We trust that as he delves in the details of his new area of responsibility, he will be able to identify promptly the main hurdles barring the sides from negotiating, and ways to achieve peace in Yemen.
We believe UNSC resolution 5983 and other initiatives, including the renewed Russian collective security concept for the region may be a solid asset for the Special Envoy in his work.
Thank you.
