Brussels, 24/06/2013 (Agence Europe) - On Monday 24 June, the EU Foreign Affairs Council welcomed the preliminary agreement signed on 18 June in Ouagadougou between the government of Mali and rebel Touareg groups, the MNLA and the High Council for the Unity of Azawad (HCUA). The Foreign Affairs Council called on all sides to implement this agreement.
In its unanimous conclusions adopted in Luxembourg, the Council stated that “the EU welcomes the signing of the preliminary agreement for presidential elections and inclusive peace talks in Mali between the Malian authorities and the armed non-terrorist groups in northern Mali. This preliminary agreement constitutes an important step towards the organisation of presidential elections throughout Malian territory, as well as progress in the framework of national inclusive dialogue and the restoration of the rule of law in the north of the country”. The Council also provided assurances that the EU would continue to monitor the process for national reconciliation and inclusive dialogue and is prepared to support implementation of the preliminary peace agreement. These conclusions were adopted at the request of France. (AN/transl.fl)