Yemeni PM arrives in Moscow for talks on bilateral ties

The prime minister of the internationally recognized Yemeni government, Ahmed Awad bin Mubarak, arrived in Moscow on Monday for an official visit.

Upon his arrival in the Russian capital, the Yemeni prime minister was greeted by Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Boghdanov, who also serves as the representative of the Russian President for the Middle East and North Africa, Yemen's state-run Saba news agency reported.

The Yemeni delegation is expected to hold talks with several senior Russian leaders during the visit, during which bin Mubarak has scheduled meetings with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Deputy Prime Minister Alexey Overchuk, State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin, and Federation Council Speaker Valentina Matviyenko, Saba reported.

Their discussions are expected to cover topics such as bilateral relations between Yemen and Russia, regional issues, and Russia's role in promoting peace and security in Yemen, according to the agency.

This marks bin Mubarak's first foreign visit since assuming office in early February as Yemen's prime minister while continuing his role as the country's foreign minister.

Observers said the visit underscores Yemen's efforts to strengthen ties with major global powers like Russia and explore cooperative solutions to the turmoil confronting the war-ravaged Arab country.

Yemen has been embroiled in a civil war since 2014, with the Houthis fighting against the internationally-recognized Yemeni government. The Saudi Arabia-led coalition intervened in the conflict in 2015 to support the Yemeni government.

(Cover: Yemeni Prime Minister Ahmad Awad Bin Mubarak speaks during an interview at Yemen embassy in Brussels, June 11, 2021. /CFP)