One soldier is to be stationed at the mission headquarters in Bamako, the capital of Mali, the other two are to train Mali defence forces in Koulikoro military base, some 60 kilometres away.

The minister also said that the cost of the mission for Slovenia will be EUR 25,000 a month. The mandate of the EU Training Mission (EUTM) to Mali is set at 15 months. In this time, three troop rotations will take place.

During the individual rotations, the number of Slovenian troops on the mission may vary, however only a maximum of four troops can be deployed at one time in line with the government's decision, the minister said.

The first contingent of 70 soldiers from EU member states has already been deployed to Bamako. In the next week, they will be joined by 400 troops, including 200 instructors.

Participation in the EUTM has been announced by 16 EU member states. A total EUR 12.3m has been earmarked for the first 15 months of the mission by participating member states.