Recalling the Cairo Agenda for Action which was endorsed by the Thirty-first Ordinary Session of the Assembly held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from 26 to 28 June 1995 (AHG/Res. 236 (XXXI), and which recommended the speeding up of the rationalization of the institutional framework in order to achieve economic integration at the regional level; Recalling further the Declaration on the Political and Socio-Economic Situation in Africa and the Fundamental Changes Taking Place in the World, which was adopted by the Twenty-sixth Ordinary Session of the Assembly in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on 11 July 1990; Considering that by the Algiers Declaration (AHG/Decl.1 (XXXV) of 14 July 1999 the Assembly reaffirmed its faith in the African Economic Community; Determined to promote democratic principles and popular participation, to consolidate democratic institutions and culture and to ensure good governance; Further determined to promote and protect human and peoples’ rights in accordance with the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and other relevant human rights instruments; Conscious of the obligations and legal implications for Member States of the need to establish the Pan-African Parliament; Firmly convinced that the establishment of the Pan-African Parliament will ensure effectively the full participation of the African peoples in the economic development and integration of the continent; HEREBY AGREE AS FOLLOWS: Article 1 Definitions In this Protocol, the following expressions shall have the meanings assigned to them hereunder: "Assembly" means the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the Community; “Bureau” means the office-bearers of the Pan-African Parliament as provided for in Article 12 (6) of this Protocol; "Community" means the African Economic Community; "Council" means the Council of Ministers of the Community; "Court of Justice" means the Court of the Community; "General Secretariat" means the General Secretariat of the Community;