Ministers are considering extending the Dutch UN mission to Mali past the end of this year, broadcaster Nos says on Friday.

France has asked the Netherlands to stay on and foreign minister Bert Koenders said he will consider it, the broadcaster says.

The Netherlands has contributed to the UN mission since 2014. There are currently 450 Dutch soldiers, four combat helicopters and three transport helicopters in the war-torn country. One-third of the soldiers are due to return home this year and will be replaced by Czechs, Danes and Germans.

‘Staying on contributes to stability in Mali and the region. This is not only important to the people of Mali but to control the migration flow via Libya to Europe,’ Koenders said. ‘Instability in the region has direct consequences for our own security and economic interests.’

In addition, a decision to stay would be an important sign of commitment, Koenders said. European countries have been contributing less to UN missions since the 1990s.