Brussels: The European Union on Friday dropped an asset freeze against an Ivory Coast oil company and five banks, further relaxing of sanctions against the country, dpa reported.
Restrictive measures were first imposed to pressure former leader Laurent Gbagbo to quit, after his challenger Alassane Outtara defeated him in a November presidential poll, according to internationally-certified results.
The restrictions were first eased on April 8, with a lifting of sanctions on Ivory Coast’s cocoa industry – which accounts for the country’s biggest export.
That EU decision was taken as pro-Outtara troops closed on Gbagbo, who was arrested on April 11.
Friday’s decision affects the National Petroleum Operations Company of Côte d’Ivoire, National Investment Bank, Agricultural Credit Bank, Versus Bank, Caisse d’Epargne de Cote d’Ivoire and Banque de l’Habitat de Côte d’Ivoirem the bloc’s secretariat said.
The EU council said this was done to support the country’s economic recovery. The sanctions are to be dropped from Saturday.
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