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2nd LD Writethru: Peace talks on Yemen end without major agreement

Xinhua, December 21, 2015 Adjust font size:

Special Envoy of United Nations Secretary-General for Yemen Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed on Sunday announced the end of the latest peace talks on Yemen, saying the parties agreed on framework for the negotiations and will meet again on Jan. 14, 2016 for a new round of talks.

"Yemen's peace will only come through diplomatic negotiations," the special envoy told a press conference held in the Swiss Capital of Bern, adding that the focus in the next few days will be on getting a renewed and sustained ceasefire.

According to the special envoy, the parties came together to develop a framework for detailed peace negotiations based firmly on Resolution 2216 and other relevant UN Security Council resolutions, in order to bring an end of the war and a return to a peaceful, political transition.

The parties also made serious progress through identifying a framework for negotiations towards a comprehensive settlement, in addition to defining a set of relevant confidence-building measures relating to prisoner release, improved social services and improving the flow of humanitarian aid to Taizz and other Yemeni governorates, he said.

The special envoy expressed his gratitude to all parties for their presence, and constructive participation engagement in the UN facilitated peace talks.

He also expressed his appreciation to the participants for their commitment to a cessation of hostilities, which was announced with the start of the talks.

Unfortunately, the UN official added, there were numerous violations of the cessation of hostilities, which "affected the progress of the talks."

UN-brokered consultations aimed at finding a lasting settlement in war-torn Yemen started on Tuesday this week in Switzerland.

The consultations involve 24 Yemeni representatives and advisors in view of implementing a permanent and comprehensive ceasefire, improving the humanitarian situation and returning to a peaceful and orderly political transition.

UN agencies estimate that 82 percent of the Yemeni population are currently in need of some form of humanitarian aid. Enditem