January 11, 2011
Turkish President Abdullah Gul arrived in Yemen on Monday for a two-day visit expected to help deepen political and economic ties with this Arabian Peninsula country.
The two countries were expected to sign a number of cooperative agreements, including one to eliminate visa requirements for their nationals, according to news reports in the Yemeni media. Turkey has signed agreements with many countries in recent years to abolish visa requirements, including with Syria, Lebanon, Serbia and Croatia, as part of its efforts to boost regional cooperation.
Western and regional targets in the Arabian Peninsula country, Yemen also faces growing separatist militancy in the south while it tries to maintain a shaky truce with Shiite groups in the north.
Speaking ahead of Gul’s visit, Yemen’s Education Minister Abdul-Salam Al-Goofy offered praise for Turkey’s “honorable” stance in international politics. “I extend a warm welcome to President Gul. This visit is very meaningful for Yemen in many respects,” he said. The minister particularly praised Turkey’s stance towards the plight of the Palestinians, saying the people of Yemen are proud of Turkey for this.
The government has stepped up criticism of Israel since a deadly offensive in Gaza in the winter of 2008-2009. That brought deterioration to Turkish-Israeli ties but has significantly improved Turkey’s image, and particularly that of Prime Minister Recep Tayip Erdogan, in the Arab world.
Al-Goofy said there was tremendous respect for both Gul and the Turkish government in Yemen. According to the minister, the agreements that will be signed to enhance cooperation between the two countries represent the truly deep ties that already exist between Turkey and Yemen.
Yemen became a focus of Western security concerns after two US-bound parcel bombs were intercepted in Britain and Dubai in October, a plot claimed by al-Qaeda’s Yemen-based regional wing.
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A statement issued by the White House said Brennan told Saleh the United States is determined to stand with the government and people of Yemen in confronting al-Qaeda and that US President Obama is committed to continuing the provision of security, economic, and development assistance to Yemen.
Armed militants killed four Yemeni soldiers in an attack on a checkpoint in the south of the Arab country on Saturday. The attack came a day after 12 soldiers were killed in a suspected al-Qaeda ambush. The US announced backing for Yemen in the aftermath of the attacks.
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