President Saleh receives letter from US counterpart

Saba
SANA’A, Jan. 11 (Saba) – President Ali Abdullah Saleh received here on Tuesday a letter from US President Barack Obama concerning the cooperation relations and partnership between Yemen and the USA.The letter handed over to President Saleh by the U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. The letter included an official invitation extended from President Obama to President Saleh to visit the USA.During the meeting, President Saleh and US secretary reviewed aspects of joint cooperation between the two friendly countries in areas of economy, development, counterterrorism, combating sea piracy and supporting democracy in Yemen. President Saleh and Clinton also discussed the last regional and international developments of common concerns.Clinton voiced the US strong commitment to a full long-term relationship with Yemen in the various political, development, democratic, security counterterrorism areas, valuing highly the current cooperation and partnership between the two countries.She said the US strongly supports Yemen’s security, unity and stability as well as its development and democratic processes, affirming the US support for Yemen in the meetings of the Yemen’s Friends Group to be held in Riyadh next month and for adopting a development fund to prop up Yemen.The US Secretary of State commended the government’s efforts in counterterrorism and its sacrifices in this regard as well as its efforts in fields of reforms and enhancing women participation in the political life.President Saleh accentuated Yemen’s keenness to reinforce its relationship with the USA in all areas, appreciating the American support for Yemen and its security, unity and fight against terrorism.The President talked about the democratic method Yemen has committed to adopt, which is based on the multi-party system, freedom of speech, women participation, human rights respect and dialogue.He indicated to the current arrangements for the coming parliamentary election on time.AF/AF