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European Council Meetings

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 24 January 2013

Thursday, 24 January 2013

Questions (60)

Brendan Smith

Question:

60. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on the outcome of the special meeting of EU Foreign Ministers last week in relation to Mali; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3583/13]

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Written answers

A meeting of the European Union Foreign Affairs Council was held in Brussels on 17 January to discuss the situation in Mali. Ireland was represented at the meeting by the Minister of State for European Affairs, Lucinda Creighton TD. The Council was briefed by the Malian Foreign Minister and the Foreign Minister of France. The Council had a detailed discussion on the crisis and made important decisions on the EU’s collective response in the period ahead.

The Council adopted comprehensive conclusions. These include a strong reiteration of the EU’s condemnation of the acts being carried out by terrorist groups in Mali, which are jeopardising the country's territorial integrity and the safety of its population. In line with the relevant United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions, support was expressed for the efforts being made by the region and by the international community in response to the request for assistance by the President of Mali.

Ministers supported the rapid deployment of the African-led International Support Mission in Mali (AFISMA) in accordance with UNSC Resolution 2085, and reiterated their commitment to providing swift financial assistance to that Mission. The Council called for the organisation of a donors' conference as soon as possible to provide logistical and financial support for AFISMA's deployment, as required by UNSC Resolution 2085. It has since been confirmed that this will take place on 29 January in Addis Ababa and the question of financial support by Ireland is currently under consideration.

The Council adopted a formal decision to establish the European Union Training Mission (EUTM Mali), which will be responsible for providing the Malian Armed Forces with training and advice within the framework of UNSC Resolutions 2071 and 2085, and in response to the direct request by the Malian authorities to the EU. It also decided to appoint a Mission Commander for EUTM Mali and invited him to speed up the plans and preparations so that the EUTM can be launched by mid-February.

Ministers urged the Malian authorities to adopt and implement a roadmap for the restoration of democracy and constitutional order in Mali as soon as possible and encouraged a national inclusive peace-building dialogue. In that context, the Council reiterated its willingness to gradually resume its development cooperation with Mali as soon as the conditions in the roadmap are met.

The Council also underlined that the EU is prepared to step up its support for the efforts being made by humanitarian organisations to assist people in need in Mali and its neighbouring countries. It underlined the importance of effective coordination between humanitarian organisations under the auspices of the United Nations, and reiterated the EU’s appeal to all the parties concerned to allow unhindered humanitarian access to people in need, to ensure the safety of aid workers, to guarantee the protection of civilian populations and to comply with international humanitarian law and human rights.

Question No. 61 answered with Question No. 57.
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