Brussels, 07/02/2012 (Agence Europe) - Speaking on behalf of the EU, Catherine Ashton, the EU high representative for foreign affairs and security policy, expressed her “deep concern” at the violent confrontations that have been taking place in northern Mali since 17 January this year, following the attacks launched by the MNLA (Mouvement national de liberation de Azawad).
In a statement published during the evening of Monday 6 February by Ashton's spokesman, the EU foreign policy chief “calls on all those involved in the conflict to cease hostilities immediately, and to commit to inclusive talks”. She says she “is ready to support these talks using the appropriate means”.
The statement underlines Ashton's commitment to the stability and territorial integrity of Mali, as well as to peace, democracy, and to stability in the region as a whole, in line with the objectives pursued by the EU strategy for security and development in the Sahel.
Deeply concerned by the impact that the conflict may have on local populations and by its humanitarian consequences, the high representative welcomes the call for national unity made by Mali's president, Amadou Toumani Touré. (AN/transl.jl)