The 15-member west African economic grouping (Ecowas) has signed a regional integration agreement with the Economic and Monetary Union of West Africa (UEMOA), an official statement said Sunday.

The agreement between the two bodies was signed last week "to enhance the coordination and harmonisation of their programmes," it said, adding: "It provides for the creation of a joint technical secretariat." Ecowas said the pact also will allow both institutions to project their common positions in negotiations with development partners such as the European Union, and jointly seek funds to finance their programmes.

It said the agreement capped a two-day meeting at the Ecowas secretariat in the Nigerian capital Abuja on Wednesday, one of two bi-annual meetings held alternately in the secretariats of the two institutions and intended to develop synergy.

It said the Ecowas-UEMOA consultations were in compliance with a 1999 Lome summit which requires the two institutions to rationalise their programmes and avoid duplication of efforts.

"Since then, much progress has been made in harmonisation of activities in such areas as the creation of west African customs union, convergence of economic and financial policies of member states through the multilateral surveillance mechanism, and the harmonisation of sectoral policies, including agriculture, transport and energy," it added.

Ecowas came into being in May 1975 to promote the economic integration of west African sub-region. - Sapa-AFP