Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what plans he has for continued cooperation with the EU in Mali.

The UK is unequivocally committed to European security and will continue to work closely with the EU on external security following our exit from the EU. Our future participation in EU missions will be subject to the Withdrawal Agreement negotiations. The UK's intention is to pursue a deep and special partnership which include the possibility of contributing to EU missions of mutual interest, such as in the Sahel. The UK is committed to working in the Sahel with our international partners - including the EU - to support the stabilisation of Mali and the wider Sahel. As part of this commitment we are increasing our diplomatic presence across the region, including a significant uplift of staff at our Embassy in Bamako.