I am in Yemen, where I will try to reach the Bulgarians from the ship “Galaxy Leader” (Galaxy Leader) - captain Lyubomir Chanev and senior assistant captain Danail Veselinov, wrote the MEP from DPS/"Renew Europe" Elena Yoncheva on Facebook, reported dariknews.bg.
She recalls that the two Bulgarian sailors, together with the crew of the vessel, have been with the Houthis since November 19, 2023. "The goal is to get from the city of Sana'a to the port city of Hodeida on the Red Sea, where the ship with the Bulgarians is," Yoncheva writes and notes:
"This is a humanitarian mission, with the logistical support of the UN, to see Lubomir and Danail, and to find out more about the situation. Their families have not seen them for ten months and are extremely worried. Until now, no European politician has been able to meet with them, as well as with the crew, which includes three EU citizens (besides the two Bulgarians, there is also a Romanian citizen on the ship). The meeting with the Bulgarian sailors will give hope to their relatives that they are not abandoned and the process of their release is close.
The MEP hopes that the visit will show the commitment of the Bulgarian society to the case and lead to the soon release of the Bulgarians. Once again I want to emphasize that this is a humanitarian mission.
"I am here because I believe that when there are Bulgarian citizens in danger and we can help, we must do so. For me, the position of a member of the European Parliament is also that – an opportunity to use additional tools to help Bulgaria", she also wrote.
Yoncheva notes that her mission is in the spirit of UN Security Council Resolution 2451 on Yemen, which calls on all parties to the conflict to allow and facilitate safe, rapid and unhindered access for humanitarian aid.
She recalls that the two Bulgarian sailors, together with the crew of the vessel, have been with the Houthis since November 19, 2023. "The goal is to get from the city of Sana'a to the port city of Hodeida on the Red Sea, where the ship with the Bulgarians is," Yoncheva writes and notes:
"This is a humanitarian mission, with the logistical support of the UN, to see Lubomir and Danail, and to find out more about the situation. Their families have not seen them for ten months and are extremely worried. Until now, no European politician has been able to meet with them, as well as with the crew, which includes three EU citizens (besides the two Bulgarians, there is also a Romanian citizen on the ship). The meeting with the Bulgarian sailors will give hope to their relatives that they are not abandoned and the process of their release is close.
The MEP hopes that the visit will show the commitment of the Bulgarian society to the case and lead to the soon release of the Bulgarians. Once again I want to emphasize that this is a humanitarian mission.
"I am here because I believe that when there are Bulgarian citizens in danger and we can help, we must do so. For me, the position of a member of the European Parliament is also that – an opportunity to use additional tools to help Bulgaria", she also wrote.
Yoncheva notes that her mission is in the spirit of UN Security Council Resolution 2451 on Yemen, which calls on all parties to the conflict to allow and facilitate safe, rapid and unhindered access for humanitarian aid.