The French leader also praised the Obama administration's new strategy on Afghanistan - with its focus on training Afghan security forces and emphasis on both military operations and civilian development work.
VOA: standard.2009.04.04
PRTs have been a useful improvisation in difficult circumstances, fairly effective in improving security but less so at developmentwork.
Security Council, we discussed how we can work together around the world, including our shared goal of promoting development in Africa, where Portugal has historic ties.
"Mali is at the heart of a range of complex political, security and development challenges that have the potential to affect the wider region and it is vital that we work together to tackle these challenges, " he said.