afrol News, 22 January - The East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) is to take a deeper look and get an opportunity to have a closer understanding the recently signed common market protocol by the region.

This will be during the 5th Inter- Parliamentary Relations Seminar popularly known as the Nanyuki Series from 27-31 January, 2010 in Bujumbura, Burundi.

The theme for the seminar will be: ‘The Common Market Protocol: Prospects, Challenges and Opportunities’, and it is anticipated that the three-day seminar will focus on giving regional parliamentarians a deeper insight into the recently signed Common Market Protocol; its prospects, opportunities and challenges. The meeting will also emphasise on the role of the National Assemblies and EALA in the process towards the full implementation of the Protocol.

The EAC Heads of State on the 20 November 2009 signed the Protocol for the establishment of the East African Community Common Market. The Protocol is expected to come into effect on 1 July 2010 following ratification by the five Partner States and will set the stage for the free movement of capital and persons within the region. The Common Market is the second pillar of the EAC integration schedule. The first, a Customs Union, has been in operation since 2005.

A total of 80 Members of Parliament (15 from each Partner State of the EAC and 5 from the Zanzibar House of Representatives), all EALA Members and Ministers for EAC affairs are expected to participate in the seminar. Other participants expected to attend include European Union representatives, EAC Ambassadors to Burundi, Permanent Secretaries, EAC Secretariat and renowned academicians from the region.

The Inter-Parliamentary Relations Seminar idea was conceived in Nanyuki, Kenya, in 2003 and it was resolved that the important activity be carried out on an annual basis in the respective Partner States. After the Nanyuki Seminar subsequent meetings were held in Kampala, Uganda; Dar es Salaam, Tanzania; and Kigali, Rwanda respectively.

The overall objective of the Nanyuki series is to strengthen the functional relationship between EALA and the National Assemblies and to widen and deepen knowledge of EAC and the integration process.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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