Brussels, 23/07/2012 (Agence Europe) - On Monday 23 July, the foreign affairs ministers of the EU expressed their grave concern at the worsening of the situation in Mali, whilst reiterating their full support to the efforts made by ECOWAS and the African Union to put an end to the crisis. They also stated that their determination fully to implement the holistic strategy of the EU for the development of security in Sahel, Niger and Mauritania must be kept safe from contagion - the same goes for regional and international stability, they stressed.
To this end, the Council calls on Catherine Ashton, the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy of the EU, and on the European Commission, to put forward proposals for: - support for the possible deployment of an ECOWAS stabilisation force in Mali under a UN mandate and in collaboration with a national union government; - the gradual resumption of development cooperation with Mali, with a view to supporting the electoral process; - contributing to the restructuring of the security and defence forces of Mali under civil control, in line with the EU strategy for the Sahel.
The EU voices its concern at the “slow speed of progress in political transition in Bamako” and by the inability of the army and security forces to defend the country's territorial integrity, to protect its democratic institutions and civilian populations.
Without referring to AQMI, the Council's conclusions stresses the EU's concern at the “appearance in the north of Mali of a base controlled by violent national and international extremist and terrorist groups, acting together with international criminal networks”. Strongly condemning exactions carried out against local populations, the EU calls on these armed movements immediately to put an end to their actions and to guarantee humanitarian access and the safety of humanitarian workers. They also expressed concern at reports of increasing violations of human rights and forced displacement of civilian populations. Speaking out equally strongly against “revolting acts of desecration, degradation and destruction of world heritage sites in Mali” and kidnappings, they stress that those responsible for these crimes must be brought to justice. (AN/transl.fl)