PSC/PR/COMM. (CDXLIX) Page 3 12. Recalls paragraph 18 of decision Assembly/AU/Dec.536(XXIII), in which the Assembly of the Union reaffirmed the need for sustained efforts to deal in a holistic, collective and coordinated manner with the multidimensional challenges confronting the Sahel region, underscored the importance of the role of the Ministerial Platform set up in November 2013 and tasked, with the support of the UA/United Nations Technical Secretariat, to coordinate international efforts on the Sahel, welcomed the elaboration by the AU of a Strategy for the Sahel, encouraged MISAHEL to continue and intensify its efforts in support of the countries of the region, and reaffirmed its support for the Nouakchott Process on the Enhancement of Security Cooperation and the Operationalization of the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA) in the Sahelo-Saharan region, launched, in March 2013, under the auspices of the Commission; 13. Commends the countries of the Sahelo-Saharan region for their commitment to work together within the framework of the Nouakchott Process, and encourages them to continue and intensify these collective efforts. In this regard, Council looks forward to the holding of the meetings of the Chiefs of Defense Staff and Ministers of Defense of the countries of the SaheloSaharan region to discuss the generic concepts of operations for joint patrols and mixed units, on the basis of relevant African and international experiences, as well as the modalities for strengthening the existing cooperative structures and other forms of collaboration among the countries of the region, in accordance with the conclusions of the 3rd ministerial meeting of the Nouakchott Process, held in Niamey, Niger, on 19 February 2014. Council, in the context of the fight against Boko Haram, also looks forward to the implementation of the operational conclusions of the 5th meeting of the Heads of the Intelligence and Security Services of the Sahelo-Saharan region, held in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, on 19 and 20 May 2014; 14. Expresses its support to the proposed convening of a Summit of the countries participating in the Nouakchott Process, in order to mobilize greater political support to the Process and enhance its ownership by the countries of the region, in accordance with the conclusions of the Niamey ministerial meeting; 15. Commends the AU High Representative for Mali and the Sahel, Head of MISAHEL, former President Pierre Buyoya, for his commitment and tireless efforts in favor of dialogue and reconciliation in Mali, as well as for peace, stability and security in the Sahel region as a whole. Council reiterates its support for his efforts and encourages him to pursue and intensify these efforts. Council notes with satisfaction the initiatives taken and the actions carried out by MISAHEL, within the framework of its mandate; 16. Endorses the AU Strategy for the Sahel region, which provides an appropriate framework for a holistic and coordinated action by the AU in support to the efforts of the countries of the region and in close cooperation with the regional actors, including ECOWAS, and the international partners concerned. Council urges the AU member States and the international partners to provide political, financial and technical support for the effective implementation of the AU Strategy. In this respect, Council encourages the Commission to pursue and intensify its interaction with the EU, with the view to mobilizing financial support within the framework of the African Peace Facility (APF);