ATHENS – Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias on Wednesday took part in a teleconference of the International Coalition for the Sahel, which is an initiative of French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian.

In his speech, Dendias pointed out that Greece attaches special importance to the security and stability of the region, as there is a risk that this region will become a base for terrorist organisations that threaten North Africa and Europe, according to diplomatic sources.

At the same time, he stressed that this region can be a source of migration flows to Europe, further testing the resilience of front-line countries.

In his speech, the foreign minister also referred to the establishment of an embassy in Dakar, which he inaugurated with his Senegalese counterpart, Aïssata Tall Sall, a few weeks ago.

He noted that the ambassador in Dakar has been appointed Special Envoy of Greece for the Sahel and in this context participates in coordination meetings.

Greece also participates in the European Union training mission in Mali (EUTM Mali).

Finally, Dendias underlined the need for “African solutions to African problems” and expressed his support for the efforts made by the African Union, according to the same sources.