BICOM

Prime Minister Theresa May pledged £200m to help victims of the civil war in Yemen as she arrived for the inaugural EU-Arab League summit yesterday in Sharm el-Sheikh attended by European leaders and Arab heads of state.

On Yemen, she said: “There must be a political settlement. That is the only way to end this crisis and the suffering it has caused. Real progress has been made to reach a political solution, but the window of opportunity is closing. My message in Sharm El Sheikh is clear. Let us now redouble our efforts to build on the progress made and get the Stockholm agreements implemented in full. Pressure must be brought to bear on all those involved in the conflict. Forces from all sides need to start moving out of Hodeidah and follow through on plans for the exchange of prisoners. The ceasefire must be respected with parties exercising restraint. The Houthis must abide by their commitments. This is essential so progress can be made at the next round of peace talks and so humanitarian supply lines can be opened up.”

Prime Minister Theresa May later met with King Salman of Saudi Arabia and stressed the importance of Saudi Arabia using their influence to encourage the Yemeni parties towards peace, she also raised the murder of Jamal Khashoggi. The Prime Minister has spoken to other Arab leaders ahead of the international conference on growth and opportunities in Jordan that starts in London on Thursday. She said Jordan is: “A longstanding friend and partner for the UK and a beacon of stability in the Middle East, playing a vital role in hosting refugees who have fled conflict in the region.”

Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi opened the summit with a speech celebrating historic cooperation between the Arab League and the EU. He called on countries to adopt: “A strict security offensive to counter the terrorist organisations and other elements of terrorism … and there should also be an effective ideological offensive against their ideological platforms”.

The EU has been pressuring the Egyptian President to allow Libyan migrants to enter the country, ensuring they do not become Europe’s responsibility. In return, the EU said Egypt would receive high-profile European recognition, promotion for Sharm el-Sheikh and a muting of criticism of his government’s human rights record.

Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas spoke at the summit and said: “You have recognised Israel, supported it since its establishment and defended its security. That is your right. But if you’ll allow me to say this, by not recognising the Palestinian right to self-determination in its state is a move that contradicts your values and your European principles.”