BRUSSELS (BNO NEWS) -- The European Commission on Tuesday announced a recovery package of $260.8 million (€180 million) for Côte D'Ivoire in order to achieve reconciliation, democracy, economic recovery and sustainable development.

"The EU recovery package will notably provide support to ensure basic social needs, such as health, water and sanitation; and the agriculture sector. We will immediately start to work with the government of President Ouattara to support him in getting the country on the right track," said Commissioner for Development Andris Piebalgs.

In addition, the Commission decided to clear Côte D'Ivoire's debt with the European Investment Bank. The package was announced one day after former President Laurent Gbagbo surrendered after months of defying the outcome of the presidential elections which he lost.

"There is no time to lose, and I will visit Côte D'Ivoire to agree on priorities for re-launching development cooperation once conditions allow it," added Commissioner Pielbags.

In addition, the Commissioner called for ensuring the link between the current humanitarian action and longer term development cooperation as it is crucial for long-term stability and development of the whole West African region.

After the November 2010 run-off polls, Côte D'Ivoire endured months of conflict after Gbagbo refused to acknowledge his defeat, despite the UN certification, plunging the nation into violence.

The EU supported the Ivorian population during the last four months of the crisis. In addition to humanitarian efforts, the EU provided direct support to non-governmental organizations that worked on human rights issues.

The United Nations informed on Tuesday that its mission in Côte D'Ivoire (UNOCI) will continue to provide the necessary support to the Ivorian Government to restore law and order to avert the risk of a security vacuum.

According to the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF), humanitarian priorities in Côte d'Ivoire include re-establishing the supply of safe drinking water, resuming emergency immunization campaigns to prevent disease outbreaks, stronger protection measures and returning children to schools.

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