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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
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