In announcing the appointment of Mr de Vietri, the Malian Minister of Foreign Affairs, The Hon. Moctar Ouane, said “the Republic of Mali has previously had no diplomatic or consular representation in Australia. As such, the appointment represents a historic step in the development of closer relations between the two mineral rich nations”.

Baraka Petroleum, which listed on the Australian Stock Exchange this month, has eight tenements, covering over 272,000 km² of onshore Mauritania and Mali. Baraka said this makes it one of the biggest exploration land holders in West Africa.

De Vietri has forged strong relationships with governments in West and North African countries, who have seen him as an important facilitator of both trade and economic development between the region and Western companies, particularly mining and petroleum, according to Baraka.

A statement from the Mali government said de Vietri had a long involvement with Africa, through his interest in promoting trade in the region and assisting the countries in their economic development. In the Australian business press and international petroleum trade media he has been widely acknowledged for opening up petroleum and mineral opportunities in Mauritania, Mali, and the Ivory Coast.

Mali is proactively working towards unlocking the petroleum exploration potential within its own borders and to stimulate economic development in the country and has recently passed a new Petroleum Code, developed with the support of Baraka Petroleum.

The Malian Minister of Mining, Energy and Water and the Minister for Investment are both due to visit Australia for the first time in September 2005. They hope to attend industry conventions and meet with their Australian counterparts.