"Gathered in Luxembourg, a statement from 27 EU ministers said the bloc "is determined to back Mali in re-establishing the rule of law and a democratic and fully sovereign government across its entire territory".
A two-page document calls for "planning work on a potential military mission ... to be pursued and deepened urgently".
"The European Union has clearly committed in favour of Mali," said French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius.
"We cannot allow terrorism to take root in an area beyond all lawful control in northern Mali," said German counterpart Guido Westerwelle."
