EU group debates training force for Mali
Foreign and defence ministers from five EU states met in Paris on Thursday to discuss a proposed training force for the war-torn African state of Mali.The five states - Germany, Italy, Spain, Poland and France also discussed the continuing conflict in Syria.
Source : https://www.marocafrik.com/english/EU-group-debate...
Three of the states meeting in Paris , Germany, France and Poland have formed a loose grouping called the Weimar Triangle in 1991 to foster EU relations.
At the heart of discussionswas the crisis in Mali. Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Defence in attendance declined to support the measures of the European Union in Mali and recalled that the priority was to liberate the Northern by political means,reported RFI.
Just returned from an official visit to Bamako, the German Foreign Minister, Guido Westerwelle, set the tone by calling Malians to dialogue. He said it was important to consider the future development of northern Mali. "Now it is necessary to advance the political process in Mali", he said." Without a dialogue between the southern and northern Mali, no solution will be stable and sustainable. "
The organizer of the meeting, the French Foreign Minister, Laurent Fabius indicated that all of Europe was ready to provide financial and other support. "There is the security aspect and then there is one aspect of development and humanitarian law, said Laurent Fabius.Different European countries would be asked to provide training,
technical and, financial support. "
Guido Westerwelle emphasised that Africans themselves have to be responsible for securityin their region and that Europe would notintervene militarily. The detailed plans for EU funds and training formali will be announced on 19 November
French Minister of Defence ,Jean-Yves Le Drian emphasised that :"The threats to our security call for decisive action." "The Europeans must empower their ambitions in the field of security and defense ". He called for a political dynamic within the EU,on defence issues. The division of roles would come later.
As the strategic focus of the United States shifts to the Asia Pacific, Europe will have to face the challenge of dealing with the defence and security issues in its area such as the international terrorism threat posed by
Northern Mali.A not insignificant factor is finding the budget for such operations. intervention in Mali and its support may cost a billion dollars.
At the heart of discussionswas the crisis in Mali. Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Defence in attendance declined to support the measures of the European Union in Mali and recalled that the priority was to liberate the Northern by political means,reported RFI.
Just returned from an official visit to Bamako, the German Foreign Minister, Guido Westerwelle, set the tone by calling Malians to dialogue. He said it was important to consider the future development of northern Mali. "Now it is necessary to advance the political process in Mali", he said." Without a dialogue between the southern and northern Mali, no solution will be stable and sustainable. "
The organizer of the meeting, the French Foreign Minister, Laurent Fabius indicated that all of Europe was ready to provide financial and other support. "There is the security aspect and then there is one aspect of development and humanitarian law, said Laurent Fabius.Different European countries would be asked to provide training,
technical and, financial support. "
Guido Westerwelle emphasised that Africans themselves have to be responsible for securityin their region and that Europe would notintervene militarily. The detailed plans for EU funds and training formali will be announced on 19 November
French Minister of Defence ,Jean-Yves Le Drian emphasised that :"The threats to our security call for decisive action." "The Europeans must empower their ambitions in the field of security and defense ". He called for a political dynamic within the EU,on defence issues. The division of roles would come later.
As the strategic focus of the United States shifts to the Asia Pacific, Europe will have to face the challenge of dealing with the defence and security issues in its area such as the international terrorism threat posed by
Northern Mali.A not insignificant factor is finding the budget for such operations. intervention in Mali and its support may cost a billion dollars.
Source : https://www.marocafrik.com/english/EU-group-debate...