Introductory text

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on European Union and in particular Article 28(1) thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy,

Whereas:

On 18 September 2018, based on a request by the United Nations (UN) Verification and Inspection Mechanism (UNVIM), the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2018/1249^f1 on a European Union action in support of UNVIM. The technical implementation of Decision (CFSP) 2018/1249 was entrusted to the UN Office for Project Services (UNOPS) and was intended to enable UNVIM to continue fulfilling its tasks relating to monitoring and inspection in compliance with UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 2216 (2015).

On 13 December 2018, the parties to the conflict in Yemen signed the Stockholm Agreement, the provisions of which were endorsed by UNSCRs 2451 (2018) and 2452 (2019). UNVIM was given a leading role in supporting the Yemen Sea Ports Corporation in the management of, and in relation to inspections at, the ports of Hodeidah, Saleef and Ras Issa.

On 18 February 2019, the Council adopted conclusions in which it welcomed the adoption of the Stockholm Agreement as well as the unanimous adoption of UNSCRs 2451 (2018) and 2452 (2019). The Council reiterated its call on all parties to facilitate the delivery of commercial supplies, including fuel, and recalled that the functioning of the Hodeidah port alongside Saleef and Ras Issa ports is of paramount importance for the survival of millions of Yemenis. The Council reiterated its support to UNVIM with a view to ensuring that commercial goods continue to flow into Yemen in full respect of all relevant UNSCRs.

Based on a request by UNVIM, on 4 October 2019 the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2019/1672^f2 and renewed the Union’s support to UNVIM.

UNSCRs 2505 (2020) and 2534 (2020) extended the mandate of the UN Mission to support the Hodeidah Agreement (UNMHA) in order to support the implementation of the agreement on the City of Hodeidah and the ports of Hodeidah, Saleef and Ras Issa as set out in the Stockholm Agreement.

On 15 July 2020, UNVIM requested further support from the Union.

The Union should renew its support to UNVIM for the implementation of its mandate,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: