Russia welcomes President Saleh call for national dialogue

MOSCOW, Sep. 30 (Saba)- Russia welcomed the call by President Ali Abdullah Saleh for a comprehensive national dialogue, Russian deputy Foreign Minister Aleksandr Saltanov has said in a statement, adding his country also welcomes the efforts of the Yemeni government to introduce reforms. “We note the certain reduction of tension in northern Yemen as a result of the agreements signed between the Yemeni government and the Houthis at the end of August 2010 in Doha. It is important that the progress of stabilization should develop in accordance with the accords reached”, Saltanov said. Russia welcomes the convening of the meeting of the Friends of Yemen Group under the chairmanship of the United Kingdom, Yemen and Saudi Arabia. The Russian official also said that his country is firmly committed to the unity and territorial integrity of Yemen. “A key task is to eliminate the terrorist networks, unified under the brand name al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula. It threatens the security not only of Yemen, but of the neighbouring and other countries as well”. “In this regard, it is necessary to continue international assistance in improving the situation in the country. We presume that all appropriate measures will continue to be taken by agreement with its government while excluding interference in the domestic affairs of the country in any forms”. Over the past six months, he said, Russia has taken a number of additional steps in providing assistance to Yemen on a bilateral basis. “Since January 2010 the quota has been increased for free training of Yemenis in Russian universities. Dozens of medical professionals have been sent to Yemen under government auspices. They currently number more than 200”, the Russian official expressed. “We are restoring the Al-Hiswa Thermal Power Station in Aden and intend to participate in the construction of a string of Wadi Hassan dams in Abyan province and other projects. We continue to participate in strengthening the capacity of the Yemeni armed forces and law enforcement agencies”, he added. YA Saba