Press Release: Foreign Affairs Council meeting, Brussels, 17 January 2013

The Council met in an extraordinary session to discuss the latest events in Mali. It condemned the acts being carried out by terrorist groups against the Malian Armed Forces. In line with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions, the Council supported the efforts by the region and the international community and welcomed the swift response by France, supported by other EU member states.

The Council also reiterated the EU's commitment to providing swift financial assistance to the African-led international support mission in Mali (AFISMA).

Besides, the Council established the EU training mission in Mali, which is to train and advise the Malian army, in response to the direct request by the Malian authorities to the EU.

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