In the presence of the ambassadors of Belgium, Czech Republic, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, Japan, Mauritania, Morocco, and the Malian Chief of Defence, Major General Oumar DIARRA, the Director of the MPCC officially transferred the European Union emblem from the outgoing to the incoming Force Commander of the European mission.  

In his address to EUTM’s Mali personnel, Admiral Bléjean entrusted full confidence in the training mission and its accomplishments on supporting the Malian Armed forces and the Malian government. Brigadier General Hasala in his speech emphasized that his mission was to ensure the continuity of the European Union's support to the Malian people by contributing to the stability and prosperity of Mali. Brigadier General Ortiz-Repiso in his address to the troops asked all the mission members to maintain their dynamism, initiative, resilience and determination and expressed his full willingness to be at the service of the mission and all its members. He thanked his predecessor for his full commitment to the mission.

The MPCC Director met the Malian Chief of Defence, Major General Oumar DIARRA and re-called the major lines of EUTM’s Mali 5^th mandate, which was well received. The EU remains engaged in Mali and the Sahel region, utilising its entire toolbox available in the framework of the Integrated Approach