02/02/2022 (Agence Europe) – The EU is finalising targeted sanctions against those hindering the transition in Mali. These autonomous EU sanctions, for which the legal framework had already been agreed, are on the agenda of the meeting of the EU27 ambassadors to the EU (Coreper) on Friday 4 February as a possible topic, having already been the subject of a preliminary political agreement. They reportedly relate to five military personnel, according to Reuters. Although the spokesperson for the European External Action Service, Nabila Massrali, was unable to confirm this to the press on Tuesday 1 February, the issue is due to be discussed by the EU Council’s Working Party of Foreign Relations Counsellors (RELEX) on Thursday. If an agreement is reached, Coreper could launch a written procedure for formalisation. Should the revision of the legal acts require more time, Coreper could provide for the adoption of sanctions at a future EU Council meeting. (AN)