ARTICLE 3: AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
1. The aims of the Community are to promote co-operation and integration, leading to
the establishment of an economic union in West Africa in order to raise the living
standards of its peoples, and to maintain and' enhance economic stability, foster
relations-among Member States and contribute to the progress and development of
the African Continent.
2. In order to achieve the aims set out in the paragraph above, and in accordance with
the relevant provisions of this Treaty, the Community shall, by stages, ensure;
a) the harmonization and co-ordination of national policies and the promotion of
integration programmes, projects and activities, particularly in food, agriculture and
natural resources, industry, transport and communications, energy, trade, money
and finance, taxation, economic reform policies, human resources, education,
information, culture, science, technology, services, health, tourism, legal matters;
b) the harmonization and co-ordination of policies for the protection of the
environment;
c) the promotion of the establishment of joint production enterprises;
d) the establishment of a common market through;
i.
the liberalisation of trade by the abolition, among Member States, of customs
duties levied on imports and exports, and the abolition, among Member
States, of non-tariff barriers in order to establish a free trade area at the
Community level;
ii.
The adoption of a common external tariff and a common trade policy vis-à-vis
third countries;
iii.
the removal, between Member States, of obstacles to the free movement of
persons, goods, services and capital, and to the right of residence and
establishment;
e) the establishment of an economic union through the adoption of common policies in
the economic, financial, social and cultural sectors, and the creation of a monetary
union.
f) the promotion of joint ventures by private sector enterprises and other economic
operators, in particular through the adoption of a regional agreement on crossborder investments;
g) the adoption of measures for the integration of the private sectors, particularly the
creation of an enabling environment to promote small and medium scale
enterprises;
h) the establishment of an enabling legal environment;