The Foreign Affairs Council of the European Union (EU) on Thursday decided to establish an EU training mission in Mali to support the training and reorganization of the Malian Armed Forces.

"This decision creates the legal basis for the operation and is another step towards its deployment," a statement following the council meeting in Brussels read.

The mission, EUTM Mali, is intended to help improve the military capacity of the Malian Armed Forces in order to allow, under civilian authority, the restoration of the country's territorial integrity.

It will not be involved in combat operations.

A small team led by French General Francois Lecointre is to head to Mali this weekend to prepare for the first trainers to arrive around mid-February.

The Council estimated the cost of the operation at 12.3 million euros (16.5 million U.S. dollars) for the mandate of 15 months.

The mission headquarters will be in Bamako while training is to take place in a dedicated location north-east of the capital.