A joint statement was released today by the governments of the United Kingdom, the United States of America, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates (UAE) after a meeting in London today to discuss the situation in Yemen. The statement reads as follows: The foreign ministers of the United Kingdom, the United States, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates met in London on October 16 with the UN special envoy to Yemen, Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed. The Ministers expressed their strong support for the efforts of the special envoy, and his plan, which he will put forward as soon as possible to both sides, and which includes a roadmap giving a clear view on the security and political steps needed to reach a political solution to the conflict. The ministers agreed on the urgent need to address the humanitarian crisis and end the conflict. The Ministers called on all Yemeni parties to work resolutely with the UN Special Envoy on the basis of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) initiative, and the outputs of the national dialogue, and relevant Security Council resolutions. All parties should show flexibility and willingness to make concessions. The unilateral steps, including steps taken in Sanaa for the formation of political institutions, are incompatible with a peaceful solution, and will not be given any legitimacy. The Ministers also expressed their concern over the economic situation in Yemen, including the independence of the Central Bank, and called on all parties to respect the unity of the government and the soundness of financial institutions and protecting them.
