Council Decision (CFSP) 2020/434

of 23 March 2020

amending Decision 2013/34/CFSP on a European Union military mission to contribute to the training of the Malian Armed Forces (EUTM Mali)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular Article 42(4) and Article 43(2) thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy,

Whereas:

(1)

On 17 January 2013, the Council adopted Decision 2013/34/CFSP1 concerning a European Union military mission to contribute to the training of the Malian Armed Forces (EUTM Mali).

(2)

On 14 May 2018, the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2018/7162 by which it adapted and extended the mandate of EUTM Mali and laid down a financial reference amount for the period from 19 May 2018 to 18 May 2020.

(3)

In its Resolutions 2391 (2017) and 2480 (2019), the UN Security Council affirmed its strong commitment to the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of the countries of the Group of Five for the Sahel (G5 Sahel), namely Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania and Niger, commended the contribution of bilateral and multilateral partners to strengthen security capacities in the Sahel region, notably the role of the European Union missions (EUTM Mali, EUCAP Sahel Mali and EUCAP Sahel Niger) in providing training and strategic advice to national security forces in the Sahel region, welcomed the efforts of the French forces to support the operations of the G5 Sahel Joint Force, and called for adequate coordination, exchange of information and, when applicable, support between MINUSMA, the Malian Armed Forces, the G5 Sahel Joint force, the French Forces and the European Union missions in Mali.

(4)

Following the Strategic Review of the Mission, the Political and Security Committee recommended that the mandate of EUTM Mali be amended and extended until 18 May 2024 and that an Interim Strategic Review be carried out at the latest after two years.

(5)

It is also necessary to lay down the financial reference amount intended to cover the expenditure related to EUTM Mali for the period from 19 May 2020 until 18 May 2024.

(6)

Decision 2013/34/CFSP should be amended accordingly,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: