Brussels, 14/03/2014 (Agence Europe) - The EU is already training soldiers from Mali (EUTM Mali) and is preparing a new training mission for civilian security forces. The General Affairs Council on Monday 17 March is expected to endorse a conclusions document without debate to allow the planning of a new civilian mission under the EU's common security and defence policy (CSDP).
The Council is expected to adopt a Crisis Management Concept (CMC) for the new mission, which will be called EUCAP Mali. Details like the staff numbers, budget and duration will be examined once the CMC has been adopted. The general aim has already been established. EUCAP Mali will provide strategic advice and training for the country's three existing civilian security forces, the police, Gendarmerie and Garde Nationale.
The EU's military operation in Mali, EUTM Mali, has nearly completed training the Malian army's fourth battalion, known as Balanzan. EUTM Mali's mission was recently extended so that it can also train the other four battalions. (JK)