The Netherlands is not yet contributing any soldiers to the EU training mission in Mali, foreign minister Frans Timmermans said on Monday.

The cabinet had offered to make a contribution but the mission was already full and there is no need for the Dutch to become involved at the moment, Timmermans and defence minister Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert told parliament.

In total, 20 of the 27 EU member states are involved.

The EU is sending 200 trainers and a further 250 support and protection staff to Mali to help train four battalions of government soldiers. The first battalion of 700 soldiers will become operational next month. The operation will run for 15 months.