Brussels, 16/03/2015 (Agence Europe) - In Brussels on Monday 16 March, the foreign affairs ministers of the 28 EU member states strongly condemned the “unacceptable” terrorist attacks carried out in Gao, Kidal and Bamoko in Mali, which have claimed the lives of Malians, Chadians, a French national and a Belgian national (see EUROPE 11270).
“The European Union stands united with the rest of the international community in condemning all terrorist acts, as well as other violent acts and violations of human rights which continue to take place in Mali”, states the Council of the EU in its unanimous conclusions. It reiterates the EU's full support for the efforts of the Malian authorities “to put an end to the scourge of terrorism and bring those responsible to justice”. The recent upsurge in terrorist attacks in Mali and its neighbouring countries reinforces the need for the swift conclusion and signature of the Algiers agreement by all parties, the Council of the EU states.
The Council considers “the draft peace agreement as a unique window of opportunity for a political solution to the crisis” and it believes that the text, initialled in Algiers by the Malian government and six armed groups (but not all the Azawad movements), “represents the best possible compromise, which paves the way for a lasting peace in Mali, provided that all parties stand by their commitments”. The EU congratulates Algeria and others in the mediation team who worked on this step of progress, and it confirms its readiness to participate in the follow-up committee “that should be established swiftly” in order to be operational as soon as possible “and have the capacity and political will to effectively monitor and support the implementation of the peace agreement”. (Aminata Niang)