Yesterday, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Luigi Di Maio, met the Malian Minister responsible for humanitarian action, solidarity, refugees, and displaced people, Oumarou Diarra, at the Foreign Affairs Ministry.
Minister Di Maio, who did his first mission in Sub-Saharan Africa as Foreign Affairs Minister in Mali, stressed Italy’s commitment to the Country and the region of the Sahel, also in terms of Italy’s multilateral agenda for its year of G20 Presidency. He specifically referred to the recent opening of the Italian Embassy in Bamako, the commitment on a humanitarian and development level, cooperation on the question of migration, and the growing contribution to combating terrorism, as well as its participation in the Takuba Task Force. Its coordinated action with major partners in Europe and in the Coalition for the Sahel, was also added to with the recent nomination of Emanuela Del Re as the new EU Special Representative for the Sahel.
The discussions also centred on the political situation in Mali following the Military Coups last May, and the importance of an integrated, multi-dimensional approach to security, aimed at creating the conditions for inclusive stability in a key Country for the stability of the Sahel. Minister Diarra wished to thank Italy for its sincere and sound partnership built up in recent years, for our Country’s contribution to the Takuba Task Force, and for its concrete support of local populations.
