Secretariat shall not seek or accept instructions from any government or any other authority external to the APRM. They shall refrain from any action which might adversely reflect on their position as international officials. The Member States of the APRM shall respect the international character of the responsibilities of the CEO and of the staff of the ContinentalSecretariat and shall not seek to influence them in the discharge of their duties. 7. The CEO shall be the legal representative of the APRM and shall, within the limits of the rules and procedures established by the APR Forum, have the power to take such actions as are necessary for the smooth operation of the APRM and the protection of its interests. 8. The CEO shall establish close working relations with the Chairperson of the APR Focal Points Committee to whom he shall submit periodic updates and reports on all matters of an operational, financial and administrative nature concerning the APR Continental Secretariat. The CEO shall present the strategic plans, programmes, draft budget and annual audited accounts of the APRM to the Focal Points Committee. 9. The CEO shall establish close working relations with the Chairperson and members of the APR Panel and provide all necessary support to enable the APR Panel to successfully discharge its responsibilities. 10. The APR Continental Secretariat shall operate in accordance with the relevant Staff Regulations and Rules of the AU, as adopted by the Focal Points Committee and endorsed by the APRM Forum. 11. In accordance with the relevant provisions of the AU Staff Regulations and Rules governing the rights and responsibilities of staff, the APRM shall enter into the necessary legal arrangements to provide the staff of the Continental Secretariat with access to the AU Administrative Tribunal 12. The APRM Secretariat shall operate in accordance with the relevant Financial Rules and Regulations of the AU, as adopted by the Focal Points Committee and endorsed by the APR Forum. Statute of the African Peer Review Mechanism, August 2016V11082016 17