On Monday, French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, who is currently on a trip to Bamako, said that it is not possible to hold dialogue with jihadists in Mali.
In a press conference, Le Drian said, "Let's say things very clearly. There are peace accords (with former rebel groups) and there are terror groups which have not signed the peace accords...Things are simple."
Le Drian's visit marks the first by a French politician since young army officers toppled president Ibrahim Boubacar Keita on August 18.
When asked about the possibility of holding a dialogue with organizations linked to Al Qaeda and the Islamic State, he replied that France share the same position of the G5 Sahel countries, adding, "It is the position of the international community and the position of the Security Council."
Le Drian added that his visit to Mali was to "establish a relationship of trust with the new authorities.
Situation in Mali
After international pressure, Mali's military junta handed over to an interim government which is meant to stage elections within 18 months.
The coup came after waves of anti-government protests partly fueled by Keita's failure to end the brutal insurgency.
Conflict has raged in Mali since 2012, and has killed thousands of soldiers and civilians.
Intense fighting has continued despite the presence of French and UN troops, prompting many to argue that dialogue with jihadists is the best way to end the bloodshed.
This month, the government swapped some 200 detainees -- many of them thought to be jihadists -- for four captives held by Islamist groups, including 75-year-old Sophie Petronin, the last remaining French hostage in the world.
Le Drian's visit also comes at a time when world leaders appear to be considering the possibility of jihadist talks.
France has 5,100 soldiers deployed across the Sahel region as part of its anti-jihadist Operation Barkhane.
The United Nations has some 13,000 troops deployed in Mali as part of its peacekeeping mission, known as MINUSMA.
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