EU Foreign Ministers to Hold Emergency Meeting on Mali

EU's Foreign Ministers are to meet in Brussels this week to discuss the crisis in Mali.

The move follows an advance by armed rebels in the African country that prompted military intervention by France.

Catherine Ashton, the EU's foreign policy chief, said in a statement that the extraordinary meeting was "to take stock of possible EU actions in support of Mali".

The Foreign Ministers will discuss accelerating deployment of EU trainers, financial and logistical assistance for the African force and "other direct support to the Malian government to help it cope with the current situation," according to Ashton.

"The EU remains in close touch with other international actors, including the African Union, ECOWAS and the UN, to ensure a united international response to the situation.," her statement says.

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