Senegal Minister for African Integration and Good Governance Khadim Diop has expressed his pleasure over the notable progress the Economic Community of West African States has made this year in regional integration, democracy and economic development.
Speaking at the 76th ordinary session of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers, which he chairs, in Dakar Senegal, Diop stated that he was satisfied with the entry into the Common External Tariff, the adopting of the ECOWAS biometric ID card, and the signing of the Economic Partnership Agreements along with the European Union.
Diop also commended the peaceful nature of elections held in five member states, saying that ECOWAS is on the right track to obtaining peace and security.
In regards to the major difficulties facing the West African sub-region, Diop brought up poverty, youth unemployment, the recent resurgence of the Ebola virus, and the critical need to find permanent solutions to the implementation of the community levy.
During his speech, Diop called for the redirection of community resources to be aimed toward the integration of programs in the region and applauded the steps taken by the new commission president in streamlining and reducing the cost of running community institutions.
Alerts Sign-up