EU hails Yemen’s efforts in releasing 3 abducted Europeans

The European Union (EU) expressed gratitude for efforts of President Abdo Rabbo Mansour Hadi and the reconciliation government in releasing the European citizens who had been abducted in Yemen. A spokesman for Catherine Ashton, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice President of the European Commission said in a press statement on Saturday, " the High Representative feels relieved to hear that the three kidnapped European citizens (an Austrian and two Finns) in Yemen since 21 December 2012, have been released ". The statement also expressed gratitude to the Omani authorities for ending the suffering of the hostages, which lasted for more than four months. Armed men kidnapped two Finns and an Austrian in Tahrir area at the capital Sana'a on December 21, 2012.