The EU's current cooperation strategies under the European Development Fund (EDF) with Mali focus on political and economic governance, institutional capacity building and regional integration. 

In the political domain, collaboration encompasses: 

• Political support for peace and reconciliation talks in Mali and for the modernization of the state.
• Taking into account the regional dynamics affecting Mali, particularly on security issues. 

Diplomatic action 

The EU became concretely involved in the Malian political scene in 2013, in particular through its participation in the signing of the Ouagadougou Agreements (June 18, 2013), which enabled a ceasefire in the north of the country and organisation of the general elections. In this context, the EU deployed an Observation Mission for the 2013 presidential elections, supporting the electoral process funded to the tune of 17 million euros. 

In 2018, the EU deployed another Presidential Election Observation Mission. The European Union supports the implementation of the Mali Peace Agreement signed in 2015 and is a member of international mediation within the framework of monitoring the Agreement. 

Security action 

This commitment revolves around several interventions: 

The EUTM Mali Mission (European Training Mission). Established in February 2013, the mandate of this mission is carried out within the framework of the Common Defence and Security Policy (CSDP). 

Since January 2015, a similar mission (EUCAP Mali) has been operating for the benefit of the police, the gendarmerie and the national guard. The EU’s engagement in this area continues with the EUCAP Sahel Mali Mission and through other instruments and programmes defined in consultation with the Malian authorities. 

The European Union's relations with the African continent are based on mutual respect and solidarity. They aim, through dialogue and a multifaceted partnership, to improve the well-being of populations, based on good governance and the rule of law, and on the optimisation of the effects of trade and investment as means, reduce poverty and promote economic and social development.

The partnership between the European Union and Africa is based on two major instruments: the Cotonou Agreement which governs the conditions for development cooperation between the European Union and the so-called ACP countries (Africa, Caribbean, Pacific) and a continental approach known as the “Joint EU-Africa Strategy” (JAES). The EU-Africa partnership advocates an innovative and ambitious approach in all areas of common interest, on the principle of political equality between partners, but taking into account the structural differences and level of development that justify adapted solutions in certain cases. 

With regard to trade and investment, the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) concluded between the regions of Africa and the EU is a stable, secure and predictable, long-term partnership which aims to support countries in their objectives of integration into the world economy, as well as to promote inclusive and sustainable development. The EPA will help African companies to import quality inputs at a lower cost, acquire new technologies, attract investment and export better through better competitiveness, as well as access the European market without the right to trade, customs or quota. 

The EPA will help African consumers by improving product choices while lowering prices. To take advantage of these benefits, the EU works jointly with the African countries, for widespread awareness of the Agreement, as well as to support reforms and measures that improve economic governance at the national level and regional. 

The European Union occupies a marginal place in Malian exports. However, when the gold sector is excluded, the structure of exports changes slightly and the EU (28 states) appears more clearly in exports, occupying a share of around 9.2%. 

The EU saw its share of Malian imports contract slightly, down from 26.9% in 2010 to 23.7% in 2016. This share is dragged down by the fall in imports from France, which have were cut almost in half between 2010 and 2016. France has thus fallen to fourth place among Mali's trading partners behind Senegal, China and the Ivory Coast. 

The Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between West Africa and the EU which is supposed to replace the Cotonou Agreement for the commercial aspects of relations between the EU and Mali and which should allow a gradual opening of the respective markets, has not yet entered into force due to the delay in signing by Nigeria. Consequently, in Mali, the "Everything except arms" regime still applies, which establishes the possibility for Mali to export any product (except arms) without customs duties. However, unlike the EPA, it is a unilateral EU initiative that can be revoked at any time.