The Fifth Ministerial Meeting of the Group of Friends of Yemen which was established in 2010 with a view to supporting the efforts of Yemen authorities to ensure stability, prosperity and social peace was held in London on March 7, 2013. Turkey, one of the founding members of the Friends of Yemen attended the meeting with a delegation headed by Mr. Ahmet Davutoğlu, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkey.

The Fifth ministerial meeting of the Group was held ahead of the National Dialogue Conference, starting on 18 March 2013, that constitutes one of the most important stages of political transition process in Yemen. At the meeting, reform efforts of the Government of Yemen was reviewed. Moreover the contribution of the international community to Yemeni Government’s efforts as well as steps to be taken to improve the humanitarian situation in the country were discussed.

Speaking at the meeting Foreign Minister Davutoglu, with a view to contributing the economic development of Yemen, proposed to hold a “Yemen International Investments Conference” in Turkey next year following the general elections in the country. Foreign Minister Davutoglu also announced Turkey’s pledge of one hundred thousand Dollars to both “Yemen National Dialogue and Constitutional Reform Fund” and “Support to Elections During the Transitional Period Project”, two projects that are expected to provide a significant contribution to the political transition process in Yemen.

Turkey has pledged 100 million dollars in aid at the previous meeting of the Group of Friends of Yemen held in New York on 29 September 2012 for the welfare of the Yemeni people and the successful completion of the transition process in Yemen. Our related institutions continue to work on the projects that will be carried out within the framework of this pledge.

Turkey will continue to exert its efforts with determination at both bilateral and international level for the success of the transition process in friendly and brotherly Yemen.