BRUSSELS
Foreign ministers of the European Union (EU) on Monday approved to initiate the military training mission in Mali.
The mission under the command of French General Francois Lecointre is expected to reach its full capacity at the end of March.
The EU mission composed of around 250 military trainers and as many support forces will provide consultation for the French-led Malian army to take control in northern Mali.
The training and consultation mission would start its 15-month-long mission in Bamako and Koulikoro and would not interfere in clashes.
16 EU states and Norway will contribute to the mission where a budget of 12.3 million euros is allocated.