Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on the actions that are currently being taken at EU and UN level to address the ongoing conflict in Mali; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50610/12]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The situation in Mali remains of grave concern. It has been evolving since the attempted coup in March and the de facto secession of much of the north of the country. The UN Security Council has adopted two Resolutions, the latest of which, on 12 October, increases the pressure on the parties in Mali to agree a political ‘roadmap’ for a return to democratic governance. The Resolution also endorses planning for the possible deployment of a military force by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to support the Malian authorities to regain territorial control in the north. At the meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council which I attended in Luxembourg on 15 October, we adopted comprehensive Conclusions reaffirming the EU’s commitment to continuing to play a constructive role in support of stabilisation efforts. The EU is working through political pressure, development and economic assistance and, when appropriate, in support for a regional military intervention and a possible Common Security and Defence Policy mission focused on training of the Malian Armed Forces. The European Council subsequently endorsed these Council Conclusions and expressed its serious concern over the continuing political, security and humanitarian crisis in Mali. EU Foreign and Defence Ministers are to continue the EU discussions on Mali when they meet in Brussels on 19 November.

A meeting involving the local Malian parties, ECOWAS, the African Union and the EU took place in Bamako on 19 October. The EU, UN and others stressed the importance of early agreement on a ‘roadmap’ for the transition to democratic governance and of Malian commitment to reforming the military. Once the ‘roadmap’ is agreed, it is anticipated that a third UN Security Council Resolution will be drafted authorising the deployment of an ECOWAS military intervention. The adoption of such a ‘roadmap’ would also enable the EU to resume suspended bilateral development cooperation and then to consider financial and other supports for the ECOWAS force and the possible deployment of an EU mission.

Complex crises such as this highlight the need for the EU and Member States to work together coherently and collectively, using all of the instruments available, to pursue a comprehensive approach with our international partners in the region, including ECOWAS, the African Union and the United Nations.