ARUSHA - The 18th Ordinary meeting of the East African Community (EAC), Council of Ministers, will today begin discussions on the permanent seat of the East African Court of Justice.

The regional bloc’s court currently seats at the EAC head-quarters in Arusha, Tanzania.

The Council of Ministers is the policy organ of the community which consists of the Ministers responsible for EAC affairs from each of the five partner states.

According to an EAC statement sent to The New Times yesterday, the Arusha meeting will primarily dwell on a proposal that suggests that EAC organs like the East African Court of Justice, the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) be located in other capitals.

"High on the agenda is consideration of the permanent seat of the East African Court of Justice and equitable distribution of benefits,” the release states in part.

"That proposal to distribute EAC organs among partner states has been there. The ministers will discuss all these issues,” Owora Richard Othieno, the EAC Principal Information and Public Affairs Officer, told The New Times in a separate interview.

The ministers are also expected to consider and make recommendations on several reports on regional projects and programmes being implemented by the different EAC organs.

Recommendations on reports on the Lake Victoria Basin Commission, East African Development Bank, Lake Victoria Fisheries Organization and East African Civil Aviation Safety and Security Oversight Agency (CASSOA) will be made.

The council meeting is taking place against a background of the intensification and deepening of the EAC integration process. 

The Customs Union is operating steadily and making a positive impact on the economies of the region.

Over the past year the region registered an upward trend of average 20% growth both in intra-regional and international trade.

Among its functions, the Council of ministers promotes, monitors and keeps under constant review the implementation of the programmes of the community and ensures the proper functioning of the regional organization.

Ends