Brussels, November 20, 2019, SPA -- The European Union (EU) has confirmed that the return of the Prime Minister of the Government of the Republic of Yemen, Dr. Maeen Abdulmalik to Aden, the provisional capital of Yemen, constitutes an essential first step in the implementation of Riyadh Agreement signed between the Yemeni legitimate government and the Southern Transitional Council. "The presence of the government in Yemen is a major development and the European Union expects all parties to abide by the terms of the agreement and to show genuine cooperation on the ground to ensure its smooth and timely implementation," said a statement by the European External Action Service in Brussels. The statement stressed that full implementation should in turn pave the way towards a comprehensive political agreement for the conflict under the auspices of the United Nations, pointing out that the European Union will continue to deepen bilateral cooperation with the Yemeni government and provide full support for the United Nations special envoy in this regard. -- SPA 14:39 LOCAL TIME 11:39 GMT 0012 www.spa.gov.sa/w1213647