BRUSSELS — The European Union on Thursday welcomed the announcement by the Command of Joint Forces of the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen of a cease-fire in Yemen, Saudi Press Agency reported.

High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell said that now it is imperative for the local parties to the conflict to cease all hostilities immediately and begin talks in good faith under the leadership of the United Nations in a statement published by his office in Brussels.

He added that the crisis meeting between the two parties, as proposed by the UN Special Envoy for Yemen Martin Griffiths, represents a unique opportunity to discuss ways to end the conflict, calling on the parties to participate actively and constructively in the process and refrain from any unilateral actions that might undermine its goal.

He urged that commercial goods, especially medicines and humanitarian aid, should continue to flow unimpeded and reach those in need during this critical period. He stressed that the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic knows no boundaries and does not differentiate between a friend and an enemy, and its impact on a war-torn country will be catastrophic.

The EU has announced its full support to the UN special envoy and his team, and that it will encourage its engagement with all Yemenis and other relevant stakeholders. — SG