Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 16 January 2013
18. Deputy John Halligan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if a new EU military mission will be launched in the coming months; if he will provide details of both the mission and Ireland's involvement in any such mission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1683/13]
View answer37. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if a new EU military mission will be launched in the coming months; if he will provide details of both the mission and Ireland's involvement in any such mission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1682/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 18 and 37 together.
Planning is underway for the establishment of an EU training mission to address the deteriorating situation in Mali. This will be deployed under the EU’s Common Security and Defence Policy.
The crisis in Mali has been high on the EU’s agenda since the attempted coup in March 2012 and the de facto secession of much of the north of the country. At our meeting in December, EU Foreign Ministers issued a strong statement which reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to playing a constructive role in support of stabilisation efforts and which increased the pressure on the Malian parties to adopt and implement a “roadmap” for a transition to democratic elections.
The training mission, called “EUTM Mali”, is being established in response to a number of recent United Nations Security Council Resolutions which call upon Member States, regional and international organizations to provide assistance, training and capacity-building support to the Malian security forces so as to help them to restore the authority of the State. The most recent of these, UNSCR 2085, takes note of the planned deployment of a military mission by the EU with these objectives in mind.
EUTM Mali will provide military training and advice to the Malian Armed Forces to improve their military capacity and their effectiveness in working towards the restoration of the country's territorial integrity. Training will also be provided in international humanitarian law, the protection of civilians and human rights. The mission, which will be based in the south of Mali, will not engage in combat operations. It will be conducted at the invitation of the Malian Government and in close coordination with the UN, the African Union, ECOWAS and other key partners. An EU Council decision on deployment of the mission is expected to be taken this month.
No decision has yet been made with regard to the question of Irish participation in EUTM Mali. Any participation by the Defence Forces would require the approval of Government and Dáil Éireann as appropriate.
