Minister Champagne concludes visit to Mali, continues on to Morocco

The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today concluded a visit to Mali that focussed on the important and long-standing bilateral relationship between our two countries.

Canada and Mali have been close partners for more than 50 years. Canada is one of the primary donors of international assistance to Mali and is actively engaged in efforts to further its peace and security, including through the deployment of military and police expertise to UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA). Canada has also been integral in providing essential aeromedical evacuation, transport and logistical support to the mission in Mali.

While in Mali, the Minister met with the President, Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta, as well as Tiébilé Dramé, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Amadou Koïta, Minister for Malians Living Abroad.

He also met with the leadership of the MINUSMA and with Canadian police and military officers currently deployed as part of peacekeeping and stabilization efforts as well as civil society representatives and representatives of Canadian mining companies.

During his visit, Minister Champagne announced 8 projects totalling more than $78.9 million as well as the deployment of two police trainers to the Alioune Blondin Beye Peacekeeping School in Bamako, Mali.

Minister Champagne now continues his visit onward to Morocco where he will meet with Prime Minister Saad al-Din al-Othmani, as well as with Nasser Bourita, Morocco's Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, to will discuss the strengthening of bilateral relations between the two countries in areas of mutual interest such as economic growth, trade, education, gender equality and development.