The European Union welcomed the agreement by the concerned parties in Yemen on a truce proposed by the kingdom beginning on Tuesday. This came in a joint statement by High Representative / Vice-President Federica Mogherini and the Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management Christos Stylianides. This is an important opportunity to tackle the humanitarian situation in Yemen, the statement said. The statement called on all parties to abide by the truce to ensure immediate and unhindered access of Yemenis in need to humanitarian aid and ensure the safety and security of relief workers and facilitate the passage of convoys and ambulances to the most affected populations. The statement warned against the escalation of the conflict saying it carries grave risks for the stability of the region. The EU took note of the announcement of a Conference of Yemeni parties in Riyadh on 17 May saying, "We will continue to support all efforts, in particular those of UN Special Envoy to Yemen Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, for the resumption of inclusive political negotiations among the Yemeni parties." The statement said, "Yemen needs a sustainable settlement to the current crisis, based on a broad political consensus."
