It's official: EU recognizes Togo; IMF, World Bank next?

From Agence France Presse:

The EU's representative to Togo said Thursday the bloc had resumed "full" relations with the west African country, 14 years after ties were suspended amid widespread electoral violence.

European Commission envoy Filiberto Sebregoni said he had handed Togolese President Faure Gnassingbe an official EU letter marking "the restoration of full and complete cooperation with Togo."

He said the EU had ended the partial suspension of ties and the block on aid imposed in 1993 after violence derailed the introduction of democracy in Togo.

The measures were later confirmed under the terms of regional convention signed in 2000 in Benin.

"All restrictive measures have been lifted and Togo enters into a state of normal cooperation with the EU," Sebregoni told AFP.

He also said the EU would give Togo 123 million euros (180 million dollars) in development aid, in addition to the 40 million already released this month. A further 26 million has been pledged for institutional and urban projects.