UK aid to Yemen increases to 40 %: British diplomat

SANA'A, April 02 (Saba) - A British official has said that the
average of the UK aid increase reached 40 percent compared with last
years.

In an interview the weekly 26 September made with UK ambassador to
Yemen Tim Torlot, he said that the British assistance to Yemen aims
to alleviate poverty, support basic education particularly girl
education, improve civil management and upgrade judicial and
security performance.

UK has granted Yemen £ 9 million for the purpose of creating new
economic opportunities part from non-oil related sectors, Torlot
said.

Torlot hailed Yemeni-British cooperation relations that cover
various areas topped by security and development, especially after
London donor conference held in November 2006.

He highlighted the cooperation between the two countries in
combating terrorism and reinforcing capacities of Yemeni coastguard.

Maritime piracy in Gulf of Aden threatens the stability in region
and international navigation movement, Torlot adding that underway
anti-piracy operation is carrying out under coordination with Yemen,
African horn' countries and other countries.

MD/AF