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adopted by the Authority through its Decision A/DEC.1/9/83 of 20 May 1983 and launched on
1 January 1990.
2.
Member States shall give priority to the role of the private sector and joint regional
multinational enterprises in the regional economic integration process.
Article 55
Completion of Economic and Monetary Union
1.
Member States undertake to complete within five (5) years following the creation of a
Custom Union, the establishment of an economic and monetary union through:
(i)
the adoption of a common policy in all fields of socio economic activity
particularly agriculture, industry, transport, communications, energy and
scientific research;
(ii)
the total elimination of all obstacles to the free movement of people, goods,
capital and services and the right of entry, residence and establishment;
(iii)
the harmonization of monetary, financial and fiscal policies, the setting up of
West African monetary union, the establishment of a single regional Central
Bank and the creation of a single West African currency.
2.
The Authority may at any time, on the recommendation of the Council, decide that any stage
of' the integration process shall be implemented more rapidly than otherwise provided for in this
Treaty.
CHAPTER X: COOPERATION IN POLITICAL, JUDICIAL AND
LEGAL AFFAIRS, REGIONAL SECURITY AND IMMIGRATION
Article 56
Political Affairs
1.
In pursuit of the integration objectives of the Community, Member States undertake to
cooperate on political matters, and in particular, to take appropriate measures to ensure effective
application of the provisions of this Treaty.
2.
The signatory States to the Protocol on Non-Aggression the Protocol on Mutual Assistance on
Defence, the Community Declaration of Political Principles and the African Charter on Human and
Peoples' Rights agree to cooperate for the purpose of realizing, the objectives of these instruments.
Article 57
Judicial and Legal Matters
1.
Member States undertake to cooperate in judicial and legal matters with a view to
harmonizing their judicial and legal systems.
2.
The modalities for the implementation of this arrangement shall be the subject matter of a
Protocol.
Article 58