Press Release: EU steps up support for resolution of the crisis in Mali

At the meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council called by the EU High Representative Catherine Ashton on 17 Janyuary 2013, the European Union decided to allocate €50 million from the Peace Facility for Africa to support the deployment of the African-led International Support Mission to Mali (AFISMA).

In view of the difficulties endured by the civilian population and in an effort to support the Malian government’s efforts to bring about the transition to democracy, a number of development programmes in Mali may also be resumed as soon as possible. Some €250 million may be mobilised for this purpose. Pursuing existing programmes will, among other things, help to build civil society, strengthen food security and improve Bamako’s supply of drinking water taken from Kabala.

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