Luxembourg’s Mali Committment to Reach €61m: Xavier Bettel meets PM and President

During his two-day visit to Mali, Luxembourg’s Prime Minister, Xavier Bettel, and the Belgian Prime Minister, Charles Michel, met with the Prime Minister of the Republic of Mali, Abdoulaye Idrissa Maiga.

During this exchange, PM Bettel emphasised the bonds of friendship and solidarity existing for over twenty years between Luxembourg and Mali. He stressed that, during this time, “bilateral relations have diversified. Beyond the long-term commitment in the field of development cooperation, the security aspect is also a commitment.”

In addition, PM Bettel was received by the President of the Republic of Mali, Ibrahima Boubacar Keita. The Prime Minister stressed that the “Luxembourg contributions aim to stabilise and develop Mali by integrating the security and development aspects, while being attentive to the respect of human rights, women and children, as well as the principle of good governance”. PM Bettel also stressed the importance of the 2015 peace process and insisted on its implementation.

The Prime Minister also met with representatives of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission in Mali (MINUSMA). During this meeting, he expressed his condolences for the 150 civilians and soldiers who died as part of this peacekeeping mission. He praised the importance of MINUSMA’s work in protecting civilians and contributing to respect for human rights.

He then went to the Koulikouro Training Camp, where two Luxembourgish soldiers are stationed at the European Union’s training mission in Mali.

Before leaving for the Ivory Coast, where he will attend the 5th Summit of the African Union and the European Union, Xavier Bettel met the Luxembourg community of Bamako for an exchange of views on Luxembourg’s co-operation in Mali. In the field of development cooperation, Luxembourg’s commitment in Mali amounts to €61 million for the period 2015-2019.