Mr Sikorski said it was in Poland's interest to "strengthen European security and defense policy" Courtesy of Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Foreign Affairs Minister Radosław Sikorski has announced that Poland’s participation in the EU’s upcoming military training mission in Mali should not be ruled out. Mr Sikorski made the statements on public radio while emphasizing that no decisions have been made yet. However, he did point out that the situation in Mali is important, as the country is situated relatively close to the EU.

The EU agreed last week to send hundreds of military personnel to train Malian government forces in fighting Islamist radicals, as a civil war in the country threatens to spill across its borders. The mission will comprise about 200 military trainers as well as some security personnel.

Another Afghanistan?

There is fear that Islamic fundamentalists, who control an area the size of France in Northern Mali, will turn it into an Afghanistan-style terrorist base and perhaps even try to take over the entire country. France has already begun military action in Mali to support the government in the country’s capital, Bamako.
Meanwhile, ECOWAS, the Economic Community of West African States, will send at least 2,000 troops to Mali in the coming days. More are expected afterwards.
The EU itself is not considering a combat role in Mali.

‘In our interest’

Mr Sikorski said he would consult with Prime Minister Donald Tusk and President Bronisław Komorowski on the Mali issue.

Regarding factors Poland would take into account when making the decision to send troops to Mali, Mr Sikorski pointed out that Poland was still involved in Afghanistan and that it had already taken part in several missions in Africa, such as in Congo and Chad.
However, Mr Sikorski also said he believed that it is in Poland’s interest to “strengthen European security and defense policy. No decisions have been made but I cannot rule it out in the long run.”
Mr Sikorski added that Poland understands and supports France’s decision to send troops to Mali.
“We know how dangerous it is when terrorists have physical control of a territory, because then they can train and plan operations.”
He pointed out that Mali is “much closer to Europe than Afghanistan.”

Remi Adekoya