ECOWAS 3. REVISED TREATY (iii) exclusionfrom presentingcandidatesfor statutoryand professionalposts; (iv) suspension of voting rights; and (v) suspension from participating in the activities of the Community. Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph 1 of this Article, the Authority may suspend the application of the provisions of the said Article if it is satisfied on the basis of a well supported and detailed report prepared by an independent body and submitted through the Executive Secretary, that the non-fulfilment of its obligations is due to causes and circumstances beyond the control of the said Member State. 4. The Authority shall decide on the modalities for the application of this Article. CHAPTER XVII RELATIONS BETWEEN THE COMMUNITY AND THE AFRICAN ECONOMIC COMMUNITY ARTICLE 78 THE COMMUNITY AND THE AFRICAN ECONOMIC COMMUNITY The integrationof the regionshallconstitutean essentialcomponentof the integrationof the African Continent. Member States undertake to facilitate the co-ordination and harmonisationof the policiesand programmesof the Community with those of theAfrican Economic Community. CHAPTER XVIII RELATIONS BETWEEN THE COMMUNITY AND OTHER REGIONAL ECONOMIC COMMUNITIES ARTICLE 79 THE COMMUNITY AND OTHER REGIONAL ECONOMIC COMMUNITIES In the context of realising its regional integration objectives, the Community may enter into co-operation agreements with other regional Communities. Such co-operation agreements entered into in accordance with the provisions of paragraph 1 of this Article shall be subject to prior approval by the Council upon the proposal of the Executive Secretary. 44