Written Answers Nos. 50-53
50. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the recent ceasefire agreement that the Malian Government has signed with Tuareg rebels; his views on whether the agreement can defuse tensions in the regime; and if he has discussed it with his European counterparts. [30766/13]
View answerOn 18 June, an agreement was concluded in Ouagadougou, the capital of Burkina Faso, between the Malian Government and representatives of two Tuareg militant groups, the MNLA (Mouvement National pour la Libération de l'Azawad) and the HCA (Haut Conseil pour l’Unité de l’Azawad). This Interim Agreement on Presidential Elections and Inclusive Negotiations for Peace provides for an immediate ceasefire and paves the way for Presidential elections in Mali on 28 July. The parties have also committed to continuing dialogue after the elections. Moreover, they have agreed to the deployment of the UN peacekeeping mission, MINUSMA, and Malian forces to the Kidal region, and established a technical security commission to monitor the ceasefire. The EU is continuing to play a major role in supporting peace efforts in Mali. The High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy, Catherine Ashton, welcomed the Ouagadougou Agreement on behalf of the EU in a statement on 18 June. The situation in Mali was again discussed by EU Foreign Ministers when we met in the Foreign Affairs Council in Luxembourg on Monday, and we adopted Council Conclusions welcoming these latest positive developments and urging the parties to implement the terms of the Agreement.
Ireland is also continuing to make a significant national contribution to the efforts to overcome the crisis. We are contributing eight personnel to the EU Training Mission in Mali. We are also continuing to respond to the humanitarian needs of those affected by the crisis in Mali and the wider region. So far in 2013, over €1.8 million has been provided by Ireland for those worst affected by the crisis. At the International Donor Conference in Brussels in May, Ireland announced assistance of €2.5 million to further support the humanitarian response and recovery efforts in Mali over the next two years.
