REGIONAL INTEGRATION

Documents

The first expression of regional co-operation was the establishment of the East African Community in 1967. This Community collapsed in 1977, but the spirit of regional co-operation remained. The efforts towards the revival of the EAC culminated on 30th November 1999, when the Heads of State of the three countries formally signed the Treaty establishing the East African Community. Ratified by the national parliaments the Treaty entered into force on 7th July 2000.

Customs Unions and Economic Partnership Agreements

FES takes regionalisation as an important strategy to strengthen the ability of disadvantaged countries to face international competition and global challenges. FES supports the Regional Integration within East Africa, including Ethiopia and Sudan. From our point of view one of the main issues of this co-operation should be the development of joint economic strategies, for example in the context of the Cotonou Agreement. Besides FES is promoting public awareness and dialogue during and after the establishment of regional institutions.

Activities (examples):

• Position of the East African private sector with regards to the EPA negotiations (East African Business Council)
• Technical workshop on the configurations of EPA negotiations (EAC Secretariat)
• East African Liaison Committee (EALA + national Parliaments)
• Workshop on the implementation of an East African customs union (EALA - Committee on communications, trade and investment)
• Regional integration and local authorities (Association of Local Authorities of Tanzania - ALAT)
• Regional Calendar / Political Handbook
• Regional conference on political parties and democratisation in East Africa
• Youth Leadership Training Programme for young political leaders from East African Region

The FES is involved in the international as well as in the regional dialogue of experts. FES' partners and other experts take part in various events organised by country members of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) or by other international organisations. These events include conferences, workshops, seminars, dialogues, congresses and closed-door meetings.

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Documents:

Tanzania Torn between EAC and SADC (pdf, 1.528kb)
EAC and Tanzania Perspectives (pdf, 18kb)
Important Aspects of the Treaty for the Establishment of the EAC (pdf, 162kb)

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