The Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of MINUSMA travelled to Brussels to meet European Union officials and discuss the support of the institutions and countries of Europe in reestablishing lasting peace in Mali.
 
During his visit, Mr. Mongi Hamdi was received, separately, by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of Belgium, Mr. Didier Reynders, and the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Ms. Federica Mogherini.
 
Mr. Hamdi stressed that the completion of the process of signing the Peace Agreement on 20 June 2015 constituted notable progress. He also reiterated that the international community should remain firmly committed to supporting the peace process in Mali.
 
“For the population to continue to believe in the peace process, it has to rapidly feel its dividends, in various forms, such as the provision of water and electricity or the reopening of schools that were closed because of the crisis,” Mr. Hamdi said.

He also seized the opportunity to thank the European Union and its Member States for their important contributions to MINUSMA. He discussed the modalities for cooperation between the United Nations and the European Union for the implementation of the Peace and National Reconciliation Agreement.
 
Mr. Hamdi concluded by stressing the importance of the role that the Malian parties need to play in the implementation of the peace agreement, with the support of the international community.