Brussels, 26/03/2001 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission announced on 23 March that it would be giving direct financial aid to support the organisation of municipal elections on Sunday 25 March, in Côte d'Ivoire. EUR 3.1 million were set aside to finance spending linked to cost of ballot papers, transport, polling station personnel and awareness and information campaigns in the run-up to the vote. This support was coordinated with American initiatives aimed at guaranteeing the training of observers and making the voters more aware. EU cooperation with Côte d'Ivoire has been considerably reduced, following the coup d'état in December 1999. The consultation begun with Abidjan under Article 96 of the Cotonou Agreement resulted, last February, in the pledge by the Prime Minister of Côte d'Ivoire that he would organise free and transparent municipal elections, with the participation of all political forces. The EU considers these elections are a major test of the determination and ability of Côte d'Ivoire authorities to establish the conditions for a truly democratic political system.