Statement at the Sixty-Seventh Ordinary Session of the Council of Ministers

"In the course of this opening session, Council will be witnessing the signing of the Protocol on Relations between the African Economic Community and Regional Economic Communities.

Through the signing of this Protocol, the four Regional Economic Communities are demonstrating their commitment to the objectives of the African Economic Community and to the integration process in our Continent. It is my fervent hope that the other remaining Regional Economic Communities will soon be in a position to join the process so that we could all work together and pool our energy and resources in support of the development of our Continent." - Dr. Salim, February 23, 1998