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Slovakia to join EU military operation in Mali

Xinhua, November 27, 2015 Adjust font size:

Slovakia is ready to join the European Union (EU)'s military operation in the African country of Mali and thereby support France in resolving its current complex security situation.

The Slovak Cabinet at an extraordinary session on Friday approved the dispatch of members of the Slovak Armed Forces to the EUTM Mali training mission. Slovakia will make five highly skilled military experts available for a period of six months.

Slovak Defence Minister Martin Glvac perceived the step as a show of solidarity with France and European values. The exact conditions under which the experts will be sent will be discussed with France.

The EUTM Mali mandate is based on a decision of the UN Security Council and has been operating since 2013. It aims to train members of the Malian army to be able to join the UN in its Multidimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission to restore the integrity of Mali and to facilitate the unrestricted exercise of central power in Mali's capital Bamako.

A total of 23 countries are participating in EUTM Mali, and the mandate is valid until June 30, 2016. Slovakia hadn't taken part until now. Enditem