The "imposition of an embargo on EU arms sales to Saudi Arabia" due to the humanitarian crisis in Yemen is provided, among other things, by a European Parliament resolution on the situation in the country, which will be put to a vote in Brussels on Thursday.
The war in Yemen and the humanitarian crisis in the country were at the center of the debate on Wednesday night in the Plenary Session of the European Parliament. On behalf of the European Commission, the EU Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management, Christos Stylianidis, was present.
Among other things, the European Parliament resolution to be put to the vote calls on the EU High Representative, Federica Mogherini, "to take the initiative to impose an EU arms embargo on Saudi Arabia, in the face of serious allegations of "Saudi Arabia, international humanitarian law in Yemen and the fact that, therefore, continued licensing of arms sales to Saudi Arabia would lead to a violation of Council Common Position 2008/944 / CFSP." The resolution is signed by Greek MEPs Konstantina Kouneva (SYRIZA), Manolis Kefalogiannis (SW) and Nikos Chountis (LAE) from the Greek side.
During the debate in the Plenary Session of the EP, Commissioner Stylianidis described in black the tragic situation in Yemen, with 19 million people in humanitarian crisis and over 7 million on the brink of starvation. Ch. Stylianidis stressed that the EU is a pioneer in the effort to address the humanitarian crisis in the country and stressed that both he and the High Representative of the EU want a way to find an end to this tragedy.
Among other things, Ch. Stylianidis stated that the war in Yemen that has lasted for almost three years -from the end of March 2015- has favored the arms smugglers who distribute weapons through illegal channels. He also stressed that Al Qaeda and the so-called Islamic State have found fertile ground in the southeastern part of the country and were forced to flee Syria and Iraq.
As Ch. Stylianidis noted, this happens just a few kilometers away from a sea route through which 10% of world trade passes. "At this juncture, it is not possible to risk a wider rupture and crisis in the region, such a thing would be a global threat," said Ch. Stylianidis.
Concluding, Ch. Stylianidis reminded the EP Plenary that any decision to impose an arms embargo on Saudi Arabia requires the unanimity of the EU Council. However, he welcomed the EP debate, saying that it was a common goal to end it. the humanitarian tragedy unfolding in Yemen.
On behalf of the European People's Party (EPP), Kelam Tune (Estonia) stressed that Yemen is experiencing the worst humanitarian crisis in modern history, with about two-thirds of the population suffering from food and water shortages and 130 children dying daily. from starvation. The EPP MEP called for a new impetus for peaceful negotiations under the auspices of the United Nations.
On the side of the Social Democrats, Bostinaru Victor (Romania) said that "famine and impunity continue to rage in Yemen, one of the poorest countries." He said Saudi Arabia, to which EU countries still sell arms, was killing civilians. "Why do we turn a blind eye and why do they side with Saudi Arabia and turn Yemen into a impoverished country?" asked the Socialist MEP. He added that Saudi Arabia had committed crimes, blocking Yemen's airports and ports, as well as the possibility of transporting humanitarian aid to the country.
On the Greens' side, Barbara Lochbiler (Germany) called on EU High Representative F. Mogherini to raise the issue of an arms embargo on Saudi Arabia. "EU member states are allowing the war in Yemen to continue with arms sales. "Anyone who gives weapons to the warring parties is an accomplice," she said, calling for an arms embargo to be imposed on indiscriminately bombing Saudi Arabia, killing thousands of civilians in Yemen.