Brussels, 14/02/2013 (Agence Europe) - On 12 February in Dublin, during the informal Development Council, ministers highlighted the extent of Mali's development requirements and the need for appropriate funding. The Council was chaired by Joe Costello, the Irish minister for trade and development. The European Commission that same day announced that cooperation would gradually resume with the country with funding of €250 million (see EUROPE 10784). Development Commissioner, Andris Piebalgs and his French government counterpart, Pascal Canfin's confirmation that a Mali development donors' conference would be held this spring in Brussels, was greeted warmly. This conference will be organised by the EU and France in close collaboration with the Malian authorities. It will seek to mobilise the international community and seek to ensure effective coordination of the international response to Mali's needs, in liaison with the authorities in the country and regional African organisations.
All ministers acknowledged that Mali, one of the Least Developed Countries (LDC), had taken a significant step backwards due to the ongoing conflict. Sustainable security without development will not be possible unless territorial integrity is re-established and the political dialogue and organisation of the electoral process, included in the roadmap for transition, are accompanied by further efforts to promote economic and social development.
The president of the Council stated at the end of the session that they were particularly keen for the roadmap to be implemented. He also said that it had to be ensured that financial commitments were sufficient, particularly for helping develop Malian state capacity. Up until now, only €50 million had been promised to fund AFISMA (Ed.: the African-led International Support Mission in Mali). Commissioner Piebalgs added that the Commission is prepared to commit €250 million for development but member states had not made any commitment to provide humanitarian and development aid. He emphasised that they needed to prepare this conference well by correctly assessing requirements that could increase if the conflict goes on. Speaking on behalf of his country, the president of the Council provided assurances that Ireland would be making a commitment because it was very important that this opportunity should not be missed of doing as much as possible for reconstruction in Mali. On the same day, defence ministers meeting in Dublin also examined the most recent preparations for the European Union Training Mission (EUTM) for the Army in Mali (see EUROPE 10785). (AN/transl.fl)