Berlin, Rome, and the VaticanSaleh off to Europe [Archives:2004/792/Front Page]

Mohammed Al-Qadhi
To continue to build diplomatic and economic ties with Europe, President Ali Abdullah Saleh is to visit Germany and Italy this week.
Foreign minister Abu Bakr al-Qirbi said that the talks between Saleh and German officials will focus on “promoting the various aspects of the Yemen-German relationship, economic and investment partnership as well as the current affairs in the Middle East, mainly the situations in Iraq and Palestine.”
Germany is one of the most important donors to Yemen. In 2003, Germany offered Yemen a donation of 23.5 million euros for funding development projects. German imports into Yemen also increased from YR 1.04 billion in 1999 to YR 1.62 billion last year.
Meanwhile, Yemen's exports to Germany increased from YR 261 million in 1999 to YR 332 million in 2003.
Saleh's visit to Germany is expected to boost economic cooperation between the two countries and push for more German involvement in Yemen.
On November 25th, Saleh will head to Italy where he will hold talks with the Italian president and Prime Minister, also focusing on the bilateral relations, cooperation in the fight against terrorism and the situations in the Middle East.
Qirbi said that Yemen and Italy will sign a security agreement, expecting “more financial aid from Italy in the field of security.”
Italy already waived loans to Yemen in favor of supporting Yemen's coast guard. It also supported the UNDP project to protect the Socotra island with $5 million, and supported the deminning program in Yemen co-financed by a number of donors and UNDP.
The record of Italian assistance to Yemen soared to 20 million Euros, out of which 6 million go to health field.
After his 3-day visit to Rome, Saleh will visit the Vatican and meet Pope John Paul II. Saleh already visited the Vatican and Pope John Paul II in 1999.
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