Statement at the Launching of the COMESA Free Trade Area

"COMESA is the first of our regional economic communities to launch a free trade area. This historic event indeed constitutes a giant step towards the realization of the objective of forging closer unity and solidarity among the African peoples.It is also a significant development in the implementation of the Sirte Declaration and the Lome Decision made by the African leaders on the establishment of the African Union. COMESA has indeed blazed the trail and demonstrated that the goals we are aspiring for can be achieved." - Dr. Salim, October 31, 2000