President Saleh, German Chancellor hold talks session

BERLIN, Feb. 27 (Saba)- President Ali Abdullah Saleh and German Chancellor Angela Merkel held on Wednesday a Yemeni-German talks session and reviewed mutual relations and increasing German support to Yemen’s democracy and development. The two parts also tackled developments in Iraq, Palestine, Afghanistan, Somalia, African Horn, Iranian nuclear file and efforts of combating terror. The talks dealt with the important role of Germany in pushing peace efforts in the Middle East. Saleh highlighted the level of mutual relations and partnership between Yemen and Germany, and German support for democracy and development in Yemen, affirming the importance of the role of Germany in supporting Yemen at the bilateral level and the European Union level. Merkel highlighted relations between the two friendly countries and democratic experiment in Yemen, confirming her country’s commitment to support Yemen in developmental and democratic fields as well as supporting the country in fields of security, combating terror and technical and vocational education. Saleh confirmed the importance of realizing peace in the Middle East and setting up a Palestinian independent state, and supporting Arab Peace Initiative concerning Lebanon for speeding up electing a president and supporting the country’s unity, security and stability. He called on Germany to play an active role for reducing sufferings of Palestinian people resulted in Israeli aggression and blockade of Gaza Strip, confirming responsibility of international community for pressing Israel for implementing international decisions concerning Arab-Israeli conflict.. Saleh extended an invitation to Merkel to visit Yemen which she promised to respond to it as soon as possible. He talked about the initiative he presented to President of the Palestinian Authority Mahmoud Abbas and leadership of Hamas Movement for settling the rift in Palestinian line. “If Hamas and Fatah agreed on solving their differences this would help Arab League and international community to provide assistance to Palestinians,” president said. Merkel highlighted talks with Saleh saying that “we work together for supporting Yemeni government in development fields, especially the technical and vocational education field.” “I confirmed supporting Yemen for overcoming challenges it face whether in security or development fields,” she said, noting that the talks of Saleh with German officials during this visit would help in boosting cooperation between the two countries. “I talked with Saleh on situations in the Middle East, on top of which is Lebanon, and confirmed that we wait for Syria to play its role concerning electing a president for Lebanon, and we are looking forward to a positive role Syria plays in this field,” Merkel added. MS/AM Saba