afrol News, 3 December - A return to constitutional rule and democracy to Togo has resulted to the lifting of the European Union sanctions. The EU has announced the restoration of "full and complete" cooperation with the West African country.

The EU strained relations with Togo in 1993 after the country's former government had refused to guarantee democracy and human rights of the citizens.

Now that free and fair legislative elections were held by Togo on 14 October this year, the EU was left with no choice other than restoring cooperation with the country. And according to Filiberto Sebregoni, the EU Commission representative in Lome, a formal letter was handed over to the Togolese officials notifying them about the resumption of full cooperation.

Also, Togo's decision to adjust its human rights status was also an added advantage for its international cooperation, as many foreign partners decided to soften their hard line policy on the country.

The EU Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid, Louis Michel, said all the conditions for the "full normalisation of cooperation" between Brussels and Lome have been met.

Few days back, Brussels released the remaining 9th European Development Fund to Togo. This amount is estimated at 40 million euros. The EU had earlier granted a total of 26 million euros non-refundable grants to Togo to execute institutional and urban development projects.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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