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Ambassador Patrick Simonnet presents credentials to President Rashad al-Alimi

16.10.2025
Aden
Press and information team of the Delegation to YEMEN

Patrick Simonnet presented today his credentials to President Rashad al-Alimi as the new EU ambassador to Yemen during a ceremony in Aden. 

Ambassador Patrick Simonnet presents credentials to President Rashad al-Alimi
© Saba

 

Ambassador Simonnet reiterated EU’s commitment to supporting the Government and people of Yemen and to strengthening the EU-Yemen partnership. He also underscored EU’s support for UN-led peace efforts, particularly in these challenging times. 

A career diplomat, Patrick Simonnet brings extensive experience from the Middle East, Africa, and the headquarters of the European External Action Service (EEAS). Before this appointment, he served as EU Special Envoy for the Mediterranean (2023–2025) and earlier as EU Ambassador to Saudi Arabia (2020–2023), also accredited to Bahrain, Oman, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). From 2015 to 2017, he was EU Ambassador to Iraq. Earlier in his career, he held senior positions at the European Commission.

Ambassador Simonnet holds a degree in international economics from ENSAE-Paris and speaks French (mother tongue), English, Spanish, and intermediate Arabic.