„These are Bulgarian boys, we must to do everything to return home. No one makes any political commitment. I think such a mission will only help.
This is what MEP Elena Yoncheva told NOVA.
She has been in Yemen for several days, where the Bulgarian sailors are - Captain Lyubomir Chanev and Senior Assistant Captain Danail Veselinov. It's been 10 months since they can't go home after their ship “Galaxy Leader” was detained by the Houthis. Elena Yoncheva met the sailors, met the Minister of Foreign Affairs and his deputy, and now she is waiting for a meeting with the President of Yemen.
Elena Yoncheva is the first European representative who went there to discuss the topic. She explained to NOVA that she had been preparing for her mission for several months.
„This is a humanitarian mission, I have been preparing since March. In May I tried to reach this part of Yemen but failed. I'm here now. I met the Bulgarian sailors. They are located in Hudeidah. I spoke with them, in the presence of the authorities from Sana'a, in the presence of the adviser to the president, said Elena Yoncheva.
According to her, her words are heard in Sanaa.
„The humanitarian arguments are being heard, there is a dialogue and their release is being considered,” said Yoncheva. The strongest argument she put forward is that the two Bulgarians are in a serious mental state.
„They are taken care of, they have enough food and medicine, but the psychological shock is very strong. Al Hudeidah is a place where rockets fall, it is practically a war zone. Our boys don't know if they will survive. This is a huge psychological shock. The arguments I am giving are purely humanitarian," said Yoncheva.