spokesman for EU foreign police chief Catherine Ashton. Photo: Reuters

The European Union has offered to host an international meeting on Mali in February 5, a spokesman for EU foreign police chief Catherine Ashton said on Monday. The meeting will take place in two weeks' time in Brussels and will involve the United Nations, the African Union, and the Economic Community Of West African States. The proposal is made in the context of rapid changes in Mali caused by a Muslim extremists’ force currently occupying the north of Mali when it tried to gain ground to the south. France, an EU member has decided on military intervention, supporting the Mali army force. AFISMA, the 3300 soldier force approved by the UN has been established but needs more than 265 million USD to deploy. US and Canada planned to fund part of the amount and EU is ready to fund 50 EURO.