The leaders of the EU-27, meeting on Thursday 24 and Friday 25 June in Brussels, discussed the situation in the Sahel and, in particular, in Mali, led by Colonel Assimi Goïta.
In its conclusions, adopted on Thursday evening without amendment (see EUROPE 12747/2), the European Council reiterated its call on the Malian transitional authorities to fully implement the Transitional Charter (see EUROPE 12726/7). It welcomes the conclusions of the ECOWAS Extraordinary Summit of 19 June, which, inter alia, suspended Mali from ECOWAS (see EUROPE 12731/19).
The European Council assures that the EU and its Member States will continue to support the stabilisation of the G5 Sahel countries, in particular the G5 Sahel Joint Force, through the continuation of the EU’s CSDP missions and engagement in the Takuba Task Force.
French President Emmanuel Macron told reporters on Friday that he had “presented the French strategy” for adapting its military system. Asked about his assessment of the European commitment, he said he was satisfied.
“I welcome Romania’s choice to join us. France is committed. Nine other European countries have confirmed that they will join the Takuba Task Force (Sweden, Czech Republic, Estonia, Italy, Denmark, Portugal, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Romania). Last night I had very clear and explicit support from several Member States. Yes, there is a real level of awareness among Europeans on this issue”, he said.
The European Council also reaffirms the EU’s continued support for the efforts of the G5 Sahel countries to strengthen governance, the Rule of law and the delivery of public services on their territory. It should be recalled that the EU adopted a new integrated strategy for the Sahel last April (see EUROPE 12701/6). (Original version in French by Aminata Niang with the editorial staff)