EU Ambassador to Yemen Patrick Simonnet and Netherlands Ambassador to Yemen Jeannette Seppen concluded a visit to Marib on 29 June 2026, underscoring continued EU engagement in Yemen at the political, humanitarian and development levels. The visit reaffirmed EU support for Yemen's stability, resilience and recovery, and reiterated that there is no military solution to the conflict, with only a comprehensive political settlement capable of restoring stability.
During the visit, the ambassadors met Presidential Leadership Council Vice President and Governor of Marib Sultan al-Aradah to discuss recent developments, local priorities and peace efforts. They praised Marib's resilience, its role in hosting internally displaced persons (IDPs) and its contribution to keeping state institutions functioning under difficult circumstances. The delegation also visited several EU- and Netherlands-funded projects, including weather stations and early warning systems aimed at strengthening climate monitoring and preparedness.
The ambassadors held extensive exchanges with tribal leaders, civil society representatives and journalists to discuss community needs and support for local actors in promoting stability and social cohesion. At al-Jufainah IDP camp, they met displaced Yemenis and reiterated the EU's commitment to supporting IDPs and host communities through humanitarian assistance, basic services and longer-term resilience support. The visit also included a meeting with the leadership of Safer Oil Company, where the ambassadors highlighted the importance of Yemen's energy sector for economic recovery, public revenues and the delivery of basic services.
The visit comes as the EU continues to support UN-led peace efforts in Yemen, focusing on humanitarian aid, development projects and political dialogue. The EU has been a major donor to Yemen, providing over €1 billion in humanitarian and development assistance since the conflict began in 2014. The visit to Marib, a key governorate hosting hundreds of thousands of IDPs, signals the EU's sustained commitment to local governance and community resilience amid ongoing challenges.