Sweden has reaffirmed her support towards the East African Community integration process.According to a statement from the EAC secretariat in Arusha, Tanzania, a delegation led by Sweden’s Ambassador to Tanzania and to the EAC, Lennarth Hjelmaker interacted with Secretary General of the EAC, Amb. Richard Sezibera and discussed the on-going institutional review, financing of the Community, trade and investment, the EAC Partnership Fund among others.“My country is committed to support EAC projects and programmes,” Amb. Hjelmaker said during the meeting on Monday, while the Deputy Director, Africa Department in Sweden’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Jakob Strom, told Amb. Sezibera that his country is interested in seeing its financial contributions bear fruit through closer integration, and the creation of a conducive environment for economic development in the bloc.Amb. Sezibera expressed his appreciation for the Swedish government’s support particularly through the EAC Partnership Fund and briefed the delegation on the progress made towards the integration process. Regarding progress on the integration agenda, Amb. Sezibera said the move towards a single customs territory is currently high on the region’s agenda; in addition to implementation of the Common Market Protocol. He added that the region is focusing on infrastructure development and conclusion of the negotiations for the Monetary Union Protocol.He reportedly asked Sweden for support in capacity building for small and medium enterprises.EU flexibility On EPA negotiations, Sezibera reportedly called for greater flexibility by the EU on the contentious clauses touching on export taxes and Most Favourable Nation (MFN) treatment.“We need policy space that allows developing countries to negotiate with developed countries. It is very important for EAC in the EPA negotiations,” Amb. Sezibera said.On Tripartite negotiations the EAC chief disclosed that the three blocs involved (EAC, COMESA and SADC) started discussions on free movement of persons among other things. He informed the Swedish delegation that the next round of negotiations is scheduled for next month.
