President Yoweri Museveni has said that integration consists of three things, namely, prosperity for people and their families through bigger markets; strategic security and brotherhood among the people of the region.
He was speaking on Friday after the signing of the Treaty of the Accession of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) into the East African Community (EAC) in Nairobi, Kenya.
“I once again welcome the Democratic Republic of Congo to the East African Community,” Museveni said.
“I, therefore, call upon leaders and citizens of the EAC to make productive use of the social-cultural advantages and similarities we have as a region to cement our integration.”
He said the East African Community is only sensible if it brings about the prosperity of the people through Market Integration and Strategic Security.
“Above all, we have what Europe doesn’t have- Common language. I have personally been waiting for the last 60 years for the Democratic Republic of Congo to return where it belongs (EAC).”
He added: “We now have a bigger market; more investment opportunities for our citizens and we are stronger as we go to negotiate with other blocks.”
Museveni meets Kagame
Earlier, President Museveni met with H.E Paul Kagame, the President of the Republic of Rwanda, shortly before they both witnessed the signing of the Treaty of Accession by the Democratic Republic of Congo to EAC at State House, Nairobi.
Kagame, on his part, urged EAC leaders to get down to implementing the commitments they have made so far to enable the bloc to realise its objectives.