Yemeni- French talks on regional developments held

SANA'A, Feb. 21 (Saba)- Foreign Minister Abu Bakr al-Qirbi and his
French counterpart Bernard Kouchner held talks on Saturday.

The talks focused on mutual cooperation between the two friendly
countries and means of enhancing and improving them in different
fields, in addition to international developments of the common
concern.

In a press conference al-Qirbi held with the French Foreign
Minister after the talks, minister al-Qirbi said the talks discussed
issues of mutual cooperation between Yemen and France. Fighting
piracy in the Gulf of Aden, the Arabia Sea and Indian Ocean toped
the talks. Arab- Israeli issue and the French role in boosting peace
in the Middle East included.

al-Qirbi affirmed that the viewpoints of the two countries were
identical over Arab- Israeli conflicts and peace in the Middle East.

"We hope peace march will not start from the beginning under Israeli
new government headed by Binyamin Netanyahu and continuing previous
efforts, France has contributed in great part of them," said
al-Qirbi.

"We talked about situation in Somalia and piracy issues in the Gulf
of Aden, the Arab Sea and the Indian Ocean," reiterated al-Qirbi.
He said that they have agreed on curing situation in Somalia for
that the chance is available after electing the Somali President
Sheikh Sharif Ahmad.

He indicated that Yemen has demanded from the European Union to
carry on shoulders it responsibility with the international
community for supporting the Somali government and building its
institutions and security apparatus.

He note the French side showed its readiness for supporting Yemen's
efforts in developing potentials of the Yemeni Coast Guards Forces
for helping fighting piracy and terrorism.

For his part, the French minister affirmed his country's keenness on
developing and improving cooperation relations with Yemen in all
fields and support of the EU to Yemen to develop its democratic
experiment.

He highlighted efforts exerted by Yemen for fighting marine piracy,
war against terrorism and enhancing security in the region. He
asserted his country's support to Yemen's Coast Guard Forces for
helping the country fighting piracy.

He also affirmed previous joint Yemeni- French marine coordination
for facing piracy." Europe has formed the first seed for fighting
piracy which affected all because pirates attack all trade and
tourist ships."


He noted that the President Ali Abdullah Saleh affirmed, when he
met him today, on supporting the new Somali president by all and the
necessity of exiting forces composed of 10 thousands soldiers from
the international community for ensuring the Somali security and
fighting piracy.


Over Palestinian issue, the French minister affirmed that France
will work on supporting Yemeni and Egyptian initiatives for
reconciliation between Palestinian factors.

"France will stand with Yemen regarding Palestinian issue," he said,
adding "we have reminded the president Ali Abdullah Saleh on that."

He made it clear that his country has recently discussed with
Egyptian, Syrian and Qatari leaders for signing agreement for
cease-fire between the Palestinians and the Israelis.