Prime Minister Rõivas on a visit to Mali

Stenbock House, 5 September 2016 – Prime Minister Taavi Rõivas will begin a two-day visit to the Republic of Mali to recognise the members of the Estonian Defence Forces participating in the UN and EU military missions there. Prime Minister Rõivas will meet with Mali’s Prime Minister and will be given an overview of the operations of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) and the European Union Training Mission (EUTM).


The objective of the visit is to learn about the life and work of Estonian servicemen in Mali and to recognise their contribution to achieving peace and stability in the country and the region as a whole.


“The fewer conflicts there are in different parts of the world, the fewer people are forced to embark on perilous journeys to find a secure and peaceful place for themselves and their families,” said Prime Minister Taavi Rõivas. “By helping to resolve the conflict in this region, we will contribute towards reducing the migratory pressures on Europe,” added Rõivas.


The Prime Minister is planning to discuss the issues related to security and migration with Mali’s Prime Minister Modibo Keita as well as Estonia’s candidature for a non-permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council.


The Prime Minister is being accompanied on his visit by Brigadier General Indrek Sirel, Deputy Commander of the Estonian Defence Forces.


Prime Minister Rõivas will return to Estonia on Wednesday, 7 September.


Estonian servicemen have been on a mission in Mali since 2013. Currently, there are 18 Estonian servicemen in Mali under the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) and the European Union Training Mission (EUTM). This is the Estonia’s second largest participation in peacekeeping missions, the first being the mission in Lebanon.