[13/02/2026 05:30]

MUNICH - SABA
His Excellency President Dr. Rashad al-Alimi, Chairman of the Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) reiterated the call to strengthen the Yemeni-Gulf partnership by fully integrating Yemen into the Gulf Cooperation Council.

During a dialogue session organized today, Friday, by the Gulf Research Center in cooperation with the International Crisis Group on the growing role of Gulf countries in conflict resolution, the President expressed Yemen's aspiration to develop its Gulf relations into a comprehensive strategic partnership with institutional integration and full geo-economic integration, including the launch of a 'Gulf Marshall Plan' to reconstruction of the country.

He cited the unique experience of the Saudi Program for the Development and Reconstruction of Yemen, and in line with the ambitious development visions of the GCC countries, primarily Saudi Vision 2030 as a good example.

He said "'We know that the current circumstances may not be conducive to granting Yemen full membership in the GCC, but we look forward to increasing cooperation more broadly on all available levels and gradually expanding engagement in the Council's institutions, through the Saudi gateway".

The President stated that "the safe path for Yemeni integration with its Gulf depth must pass through Riyadh, as an essential partner in the process of recovery, and a strategic center of gravity for reshaping the regional system to limit the geopolitical threats that our country has suffered more from than any other.
He added "'We are betting that Yemeni-Saudi relations today will be a starting point for rebuilding the model, and then extending it to the rest of the Gulf countries"
President al-Alimi also called on policymakers, alongside Gulf and Yemeni think tanks, to launch constructive dialogues to support the Saudi vision and approach in Yemen.
His Excellency touched upon the transformations that Yemeni-Gulf relations have witnessed since the mid-20th century at all levels, leading to a growing recognition of Yemen's pivotal role in the Gulf and regional security system, especially with the increasing destabilizing influence of Iran in the region and the emergence of the threat posed by terrorist groups, primarily the Houthi militias and the al-Qaeda and ISIS organizations allied with them.
The Chairman of the PLC confirmed that 'Operation Decisive Storm in 2015 was clear evidence that the model of Yemeni-Gulf relations goes beyond the 'diplomatic and economic' dimension and it was also clear evidence that the Gulf security system would remain threatened as long as the Yemeni state is not stable.'
The President addressed the Yemeni-Gulf approach towards the regional system in terms of vision, emphasizing the alignment of the Yemeni state's perspective with the views of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the vast majority of the GCC countries, which focus on balance, integration and stability.

Most important among these are: supporting national state institutions in the region, combating sub-state entities that practice terrorism and divide countries, as well as promoting development through ambitious national projects led by leading countries in the region, along with supportive plans for countries suffering from crises and fragility.

The President highlighted the position of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and its pivotal role in supporting the building and strengthening of the Yemeni state, represented by its legitimate government, and in enhancing its national presence.

His Excellency also praised the role of the Gulf countries, which are pioneers in diplomatic mediation and peace efforts at both regional and international levels, including in Yemen, where the Gulf system led by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has always been present in extinguishing fires for decades.

An example for this is the GCC's initiative that spared the country a civil war and set it on the path of dialogue and political transition, were it not for the Houthi coup backed by the Iranian regime.

President al-Alimi made it clear that any future efforts in this regard will remain incomplete unless they ensure the dismantling of armed militias and the cessation of Iranian interventions that destabilize the security and stability of the region.

The chairman of the PLC concluded his remarks by talking about his vision for a secure future for Yemen with its neighbors, based on self-criticism of the experience of relations with the Gulf and the lost opportunities that prevailed over the years, saying: We believe that Yemenis must first reconcile among themselves, reset all internal disputes and stop confiscating the interests and resources of successive generations of the country's citizens.

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