Brussels, Belgium - The European council of ministers for Development, which had previously suspended financial support to Mali to denounce the 12 March 2012 Coup in the West African nation, on Monday in Dublin, Ireland, approved a loan of 250 million Euros for Bamako, official sources told PANA here.
According to a communiqué issued by the council, the loan was approved because Malian authorities are following and implementing the roadmap recently formulated to speed up the country’s efforts towards reclaiming all its territorial integrity and the conduct of general elections slated for 31 July.
The communiqué said that the EU was committed to helping Mali restore democracy and peace by enhancing reconciliation, conflict prevention and by backing the electoral process.
The loan will also be used to finance projects to ensure food security, sanitation and boost the country’s economy, which has been badly affected by the current war.
Pana 14/02/2013