President Saleh, British Secretary of State discuss ties

LONDON- President Ali Abdullah Saleh received on Wednesday the British Secretary of State for International Development Hilary Benn. The meeting discussed bilateral relations and aspects of joint cooperation in addition to British aid for development and anti-terror efforts in Yemen. The meeting also dealt with means of broadening exchanges in investment, trade and staving off terrorism. Benn appreciated the Yemeni achievements in democracy, human rights, and development promising the British support for Yemen in poverty alleviation would continue to increase. He stressed the importance of the visit paid by President Saleh in promoting relations and partnership between two countries. On his part, President Saleh welcomed the British investments in Yemen. In the presence of President Saleh, a Yemeni-British Partnership Declaration agreement was initially inked by Foreign Minister Abu Baker Al-Qerbi and Hilary Benn. Under the terms of the agreement, the United Kingdom would donate £ 27.3 million finance of the third phase of Primary Education Program being carried our by the Social Fund for Development, £ 12.3 million for Poverty Alleviation Program, and £ 15 million for Primary Education Development. KN/AASABA