CHAPTER II ESTABLISHMENT, PRINCIPLES, OBJECTIVES, GENERAL UNDERTAKING AND MODALITIES Article 2 Establishment of the Community THE HIGH CONTRACTING PARTIES hereby establish among themselves an African Economic Community (AEC). Article 3 Principles THE HIGH CONTRACTING PARTIES, in pursuit of the objectives stated in Article 4, of this Treaty solemnly affirm and declare their adherence to the following principles: (a) Equality and inter-dependence of Member States; (b) Solidarity and collective self-reliance; (c) Inter-State co-operation, harmonisation of policies and integration of programmes; (d) Promotion of harmonious development of economic activities among Member States; (e) Observance of the legal system of the Community; (f) Peaceful settlement of disputes among Member States, active cooperation between neighbouring countries and promotion of a peaceful environment as a pre-requisite for economic development; (g) Recognition, promotion and protection of human and peoples' rights in accordance with the provisions of the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights; and (h) Accountability, economic justice and popular participation in development. Article 4 7