Defense Minister Mario Kunasek and Vice Chancellor Heinz-Christian Strache approved the new Austrian Armed Forces contingent for the EU Training Mission in Mali (EUTM) on Wednesday.
In the course of the adoption, both spoke out in favor of a stronger commitment to Africa. Mario Kunasek explained that Africa is a continent “where we need to ensure stability on several levels”. Looking back on the migration crisis in 2015, the minister emphasized the principle of “it is better to prevent than to cure”. Vice Chancellor Strache is also primarily concerned with “combating the causes of migration on the ground”. This requires a stable environment in order to create prospects for the local population to stay, said the Vice Chancellor at the farewell ceremony for the soldiers. There are currently 27 Austrian soldiers serving at the headquarters of the EU mission in the capital Bamako. The aim of the mission is to train the Malian armed forces. From June, the Austrian contingent will comprise almost 50 people. Brigadier Christian Habersatter will be the first Austrian to take command of the entire EU mission.
