ECOWAS discusses rising food and oil prices

Accra, June 23, GNA - The Mid-year Summit of ECOWAS Heads of State and government, scheduled for today June 23, will among other issues discuss the rising global oil prices and the soaring cost of basic food items and its impact on the economies of member states. The 34th Summit to be held in Abuja, Nigeria will consider the reports and recommendations of the 6th May Extraordinary Meeting of the Ministers of Agriculture, Finance and Trade on the twin challenges, a statement issued by the ECOWAS Commission and copied to the GNA said.

The one-day Summit will also consider the report of the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Mohamed Ibn Chambas, that will reflect the status of implementation of regional programmes, particularly those on the free movement of persons and goods, right of establishment and residence.

A statement issued by the ECOWAS Secretariat said the report would also contain the status of the process for the creation of a common market in the region. It said the President's report would also indicate the status of the negotiation of the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), an agreement for the creation of a free trade area between West Africa and the European Union.

The Heads of State and Government will also discuss the security situation in West Africa and efforts to consolidate democratic governance in the region. Elections are scheduled to hold in five of the Member States this year - Cote d'Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea Bissau and Sierra Leone.

In addition, they will consider the report of the 60th Session of the Council of Ministers, an ECOWAS organ comprising Ministers responsible for ECOWAS matters in Member States. The statement Summit would also decide on the venue and date for its next meeting that would elect a new Chairman for the Authority.