Jul 2, 2022 20:46
The government of Mali summoned the Spanish ambassador to it, against the background of statements by the Spanish Foreign Minister, in which he said that the military intervention of NATO (NATO) in the country “cannot be ruled out”, according to what the Malian Foreign Minister announced.
“Today we summoned the Spanish ambassador to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to inform him of our strong protest against these statements,” Malian Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Diop said, during an interview with state television.
The Spanish Foreign Minister, Jose Manuel Albarez, considered that the hypothesis of NATO intervention in Mali was not excluded.
“We cannot rule it out,” Albarez said, in a statement to the official radio station “RN.L.” .If necessary and if there is a threat to our security, we will certainly do so.”
The Malian foreign minister said that “these statements are unacceptable, unfriendly and dangerous” because they have “a tendency to encourage aggression against a sovereign and independent country.”
“We have asked for explanations and clarification of this position for the Spanish government. We hope that (explanations and clarification) will arrive quickly,” he added.
The Spanish embassy in Mali responded in a statement today, Saturday, stressing that “Spain did not request, during the NATO summit, or on any other occasion, any intervention or action by the alliance in Mali.”
She added that Spain “will continue to develop a friendly and peaceful relationship with Mali.”
The latest NATO road map refers for the first time to a “strategic interest” in the Middle East, North Africa and the African Sahel, as well as in particular the risks posed by terrorism and irregular migration.
Spain had stressed that addressing the threats in the southern flank during the NATO summit is a major priority for it.
Madrid, in particular, fears that the instability in the Sahel region, where several terrorist groups are active, will lead to an increase in irregular migration.
Spain, located a few kilometers from the African coast, has become one of the main stops for irregular migrants seeking to reach Europe.
The government of Mali summoned the Spanish ambassador to it, against the background of statements by the Spanish Foreign Minister, in which he said that the military intervention of NATO (NATO) in the country “cannot be ruled out”, according to what the Malian Foreign Minister announced.
“Today we summoned the Spanish ambassador to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to inform him of our strong protest against these statements,” Malian Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Diop said, during an interview with state television.
The Spanish Foreign Minister, Jose Manuel Albarez, considered that the hypothesis of NATO intervention in Mali was not excluded.
“We cannot rule it out,” Albarez said, in a statement to the official radio station “RN.L.” .If necessary and if there is a threat to our security, we will certainly do so.”
The Malian foreign minister said that “these statements are unacceptable, unfriendly and dangerous” because they have “a tendency to encourage aggression against a sovereign and independent country.”
“We have asked for explanations and clarification of this position for the Spanish government. We hope that (explanations and clarification) will arrive quickly,” he added.
The Spanish embassy in Mali responded in a statement today, Saturday, stressing that “Spain did not request, during the NATO summit, or on any other occasion, any intervention or action by the alliance in Mali.”
She added that Spain “will continue to develop a friendly and peaceful relationship with Mali.”
The latest NATO road map refers for the first time to a “strategic interest” in the Middle East, North Africa and the African Sahel, as well as in particular the risks posed by terrorism and irregular migration.
Spain had stressed that addressing the threats in the southern flank during the NATO summit is a major priority for it.
Madrid, in particular, fears that the instability in the Sahel region, where several terrorist groups are active, will lead to an increase in irregular migration.
Spain, located a few kilometers from the African coast, has become one of the main stops for irregular migrants seeking to reach Europe.
Source: AFP
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