The European Union on Monday lifted the last of its sanctions imposed on Ivory Coast, which were an asset freeze on three entities including RTI national radio and television, the EU announced.

The 27 nations of the EU "decided today to lift the restrictions on the last three entities subject to an EU assets freeze, in order to support the country's economic recovery," an EU statement said.

"Under the measures adopted today, the Cote d'Ivoire Association of Natural Rubber Producers (APROCANCI), National Electricity Management (SOGEPE) and Ivorian Radio and Television (RTI) are delisted," the statement said.

In past weeks since elected President Alassane Ouattara took power in April in the west African country after a four-month showdown with his predecessor, Laurent Gbagbo, the EU has lifted sanctions that applied to 10 other Ivorian companies.

The sanctions were imposed by the EU at the beginning of 2011 and were part of a bid to stifle Gbagbo's regime and drive him from power. The former head of state, who had held power for 10 years, refused to acknowledge that he had lost the presidnetial election to Ouattara in November 2010.

The European Union on Monday lifted the last of its sanctions imposed on Ivory Coast, which were an asset freeze on three entities including RTI national radio and television, the EU announced.

The 27 nations of the EU "decided today to lift the restrictions on the last three entities subject to an EU assets freeze, in order to support the country's economic recovery," an EU statement said.

"Under the measures adopted today, the Cote d'Ivoire Association of Natural Rubber Producers (APROCANCI), National Electricity Management (SOGEPE) and Ivorian Radio and Television (RTI) are delisted," the statement said.

In past weeks since elected President Alassane Ouattara took power in April in the west African country after a four-month showdown with his predecessor, Laurent Gbagbo, the EU has lifted sanctions that applied to 10 other Ivorian companies.

The sanctions were imposed by the EU at the beginning of 2011 and were part of a bid to stifle Gbagbo's regime and drive him from power. The former head of state, who had held power for 10 years, refused to acknowledge that he had lost the presidnetial election to Ouattara in November 2010.