Yemen does not currently have any regional border claims or disputes. This is after a recent dispute with Eritrea over Yemeni fishing rights around the Hanish Islands were settled after a ruling by the International Court of Justice in 1999, which was awarded to Eritrea.

The border demarcation issue was solved with Saudi Arabia in June 2000 whereby both sides agreed the demarcation of the border along the lines of the 1934 Taif accord. Also a more recent border fencing dispute was resolved, whereby Saudi Arabia agreed to stop the construction of a land filled fence on the borders of the two countries. The reason behind Saudi Arabia's decision to build the fence in the first place was to stop the flow illegal arms from Yemen to Saudi militants. Henceforth the Yemeni government in February 2004 agreed to increase security on the borders of the two countries in order to eliminate the need for the fence. At the same time Yemen is an active player in the Middle East region. Yemen's political and diplomatic activity in the region mainly takes place through its membership in the Arab League, and participation in other regional economic and political organisations.

One of the main areas of regional diplomatic activity for Yemen has been its support of the Palestinian cause.   President Saleh has been an active and vocal supporter of the Palestinian cause and has called for donations from other Arab countries to help the re-construction of Palestinian property damaged by Israeli attacks. At the same time, the Yemeni government has also taken the lead in this matter through its own financial donation fund, which is composed of a day's wages deducted from all civil servants and private sector employees in the country.     

Another recent Yemeni regional policy has been focusing and harnessing Arab support for the reconstruction of Somalia after the country's recent civil war. The Yemeni representative to the Arab league has called for the establishment of an Arab fund to support the reconstruction of Somalia.

Membership in International Organizations

Yemen has membership in 43 international organisations, some of which include:

•  United Nations: September 30, 1947

•  International Monetary Fund (IMF): May 22, 1990

•  World Trade Organization (WTO): observer

•  World Health Organisation

•  Arab League

Relations with the Rest of the World

Yemen's relationship is particularly strong with South East Asian countries as well as those of the Indian subcontinent. As a matter of fact, Yemen's largest export partners can be found in the area. China is Yemen's largest export partner, followed by Thailand and India. In terms of imports, according to 2003 figures majority of all   Yemeni imports were from China .

At the same time, Yemen is involved in political and social activities and conferences with African and South American countries (at NGO level) in areas such as global health issues, education and economic development. Yemen's most recent diplomatic mission for the year 2004 was opened in Angola.  

By: Meir Javedanfar- www.meepas.com

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