Compaore's visit comes at the invitation of Malian President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, the presidency said, describing the trip as a "cordial" one with practical goals.
The Burkina Faso president is expected to meet politicians from the Malian government and opposition, along with Gérard Koenders, the U.N. secretary-general's special representative in the country.
Compaore will meet with Keita later on Monday to review preparations for upcoming talks between the government and militant groups in northern Mali, plans for which were announced in July of last year.
Tension erupted in Mali in 2012 following a failed coup and a Tuareg rebellion that ultimately allowed Al-Qaeda-linked groups to take over half of the country.
Former colonial power France, for its part, sent troops to Mali and – with the help of Chadian and other African forces – flushed the Islamists from the country's main northern cities.
By Moussa Bolly
englishnews@aa.com.tr
http://www.aa.com.tr/en
