The European Union is to grant Togo 1.23
billion CFA francs (1.3 million US dollars) to finance its
forthcoming parliamentary elections, the first round of which is
scheduled for 10 March 2002.
The agreement was signed Thursday in Lome between the EU's Charge
d'Affaires in Togo, Philippe van Damme, and Simfetcheou Pre, the
Togolese Planning, Land-use, Housing and Town Planning Minister.
The agreement represents 40 percent of the overall cost of the
parliamentary elections, Pre said.
The EU representative said the agreement supported the efforts of
the Togolese government and its Independent National Electoral
Committee (INEC) in the organisation of the poll.
In 1992 the EU suspended its co-operation with Togo following
"hindrances" to the democratic process.
Initially planned for the 14 and 28 October, the elections were
postponed by INEC due to financial problems.
