Statement at the Establishment of the African Union and Pan-African Parliament

"The Sirte Declaration is, therefore, a statement of principles, a commitment, an engagement call for us as African people. It is an important milestone in the development of our Continent and in its quest to promote peace, security and stability. However, in order to achieve its objectives, the Declaration has to be operationalized. Its substance has to be elaborated, and details that would allow action to take place have to be provided. This has been one of the major challenges since we left the Jamahiriya in September 1999. It is a challenge that all of us - Member States and the General Secretariat - have to overcome." - Dr. Salim, May 31, 2000