Al-Hajj to EIP: Dialogue Success as Extension to Sincere Invitation of President Al-Zubaidi

Dr. Saleh Mohsen Al-Hajj, Director of the General Directorate of Foreign Affairs (GDFA) of the Southern Transitional Council (STC), received today, Saturday, in the capital, Aden, a delegation from the European Institute for Peace (EIP) led by the Director of Programs at the Institute, Mr. Jimmy Bledel, and the regional advisor specialized in Yemen Affairs at the Institute, Mr. Thanos Petouris.

The meeting, which was attended by Mr. Anis Al-Sharafi, deputy director of GDFA, discussed the latest developments in the political process in the country as well as the consensus reached through the dialogue sessions and the results of the southern consultative meeting.

Mr. Al-Hajj pointed out that the dialogue has expanded its concept to include all sectors, segments, and groups of the South, political, social, military, and labour, and to go to all the governorates of the South to ensure the participation of everyone, both at home and abroad, in drafting and signing the Southern National Charter.

Similarly, Al-Hajj indicated that the frankness and openness of discussions and acceptance of views that prevailed in the dialogue sessions held and the grand success that was achieved were an extension of the sincere call for dialogue launched by President Aidarous Qassem Al-Zubaidi to unite the southern ranks and achieve cohesiveness and rapprochement.

Likewise, Al-Hajj explained that the STC had neither rejected nor turned its back on any voice, which has gained it the confidence of all. Therefore, the outcome was grand and historical, noting that the door of dialogue is still widely open and has not been closed yet to those who were unable to attend or participate.

Furthermore, Al-Hajj praised all the efforts made by the EIP, calling for a major role from the international community through which the demands of the people of the South are met and to contribute to the establishment of a new phase in the South based on a constructive culture of dialogue, peace, partnership, democracy, and a system of justice and law.

For his part, Mr. Bledel reiterated the commitment of the EIP to incessantly continue efforts aimed at converging views and supporting and exchanging successful experiences in dialogue, expressing his happiness at the advanced and important phase that the STC has reached in the dialogue with the wide southern spectrum.