Brussels, 23/04/2012 (Agence Europe) - The European Union supports the effort being made by ECOWAS, chaired by Alassane Ouattara, and the Sahel countries to restore constitutional order in Mali, but remains deeply concerned by the human rights violations in the north of the country which is in the hands of the Tuareg and Islamist AQIM rebels. On Monday 23 April, EU27 foreign ministers underlined this in unanimous conclusions while reiterating their condemnation of the military coup d'état, their call for an immediate end to violation and for the protection of civilians. The Council also expresses alarm at the risk of a major humanitarian disaster in Mali and calls on all parties to respect international humanitarian law. Catherine Ashton told the press that the administrative situation is gradually returning to normal and that she has spoken with President Ouattara about follow-up to transition, and that the EU would like to resume cooperation with Mali. There are, however, a large number of internally displaced people, an end must be put to violence in the north, and respect of Mali's territorial integrity must be ensured. The CSDP mission, she said, will be deployed in Niger this summer. If need be, she said, the situation could call for full implementation of the EU comprehensive strategy for the Sahel. Resumption of EU/Mali development cooperation, currently on hold, will be resumed in line with progress towards the full restoration of constitutional order, the Council states. (AN/transl.jl)