Brussels, 31/01/2013 (Agence Europe) - The meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council, which took place in Brussels on Thursday 31 January, devoted little place to the future training mission in Mali (EUTM Mali). Today, ministers simply confirmed that the decision to launch the mission will be taken later, around mid-February, as agreed in Council on 17 January. However, on the sidelines of preparations for the mission, major progress has been made and the training of the first Malian battalion may begin on 1 April.
The Political and Security Committee (PSC) approved, on Friday 25 January, the concept of operations (CONOPS) for the mission. Shortly before, General François Lecointre, who is to command EUTM Mali, returned to Bamako where he made first preparations with the Malian authorities. Training is expected to begin stage by stage. Although training of the first battalion is scheduled for 1 April, around 20 officers are expected to ensure advisory activities from February on, after the decision of European ministers to kick off the mission. The actual kick-off is likely to be given on 18 February.
As things stand, some 80% of needs in terms of soldiers/trainers will be met, after a first force generation conference held in Brussels on Tuesday 29 January. Adjustments will still be required as many states have proposed to fill the same posts, according to a European source. A second conference has, therefore, been scheduled for 5 February. However, already over 15 member states have pledged to contribute to EUTM Mali, which is a “very powerful political gesture”. The largest offers could come from Madrid (up to 50 trainers) and London (40). Nonetheless, to date, only Warsaw, with its promise to send 20 instructors, seems to have taken a firm commitment. The total numbers of personnel on the mission will be around 250 instructors and military advisers, 100 command and support personnel and from 150-200 military as a protection force. (JK/transl.jl)