NAIROBI, Nov. 23 (Xinhua) -- Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete said the signing of the protocol on the establishment of East Africa Common Market in Arusha last week marked a crucial stage towards the realization of full integration of member states.

    Speaking on Sunday night during a stopover in Nairobi, President Kikwete said the signing of the protocol was a culmination of a well discussed, defined and agreed upon settlement of various issues, expressing hope that the new cooperation stage would usher in faster economic growth and development for the region.

    "We have come along way in establishing East Africa Community, the signing of the protocol for a common market would set motion for the next level in the integration process," the Tanzanian leader said.

    President Kikwete who was accompanied by First Lady Salima made the remarks during a stopover at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport on his way to attend Commonwealth Heads of Government Summit to be opened in Trinadad and Tobago on Nov. 27.

    President Kikwete and his delegation were met by Kenyan Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka, senior government and Tanzanian High Commissioner to Kenya Nyasugara Kadege.

    Musyoka commended the five heads of state for strengthening further the integration of the East African Community by signing the protocol to establish a common market.

    "People of this region are grateful to our leaders for making such a bold move that is a landmark in the process towards complete integration of the regional block," the vice president said

    The Common Market which shall be managed in accordance with relevant laws of the East African Community provides for the free movement of goods, persons, labor, services and capital.

    The common market provides for the right of establishment, the right of residence, free movement of services and free movement of capital within the region.

    The overriding objective of the Common Market is to widen and deepen cooperation among the partner states in both economic and social fields for the benefit of citizens of the member states.

    It is hoped that the agreement reached in the Tanzanian northern town of Arusha will lead to greater economic power for the region.

    The East Africans have a chance to gain from the recent discovery of oil in Uganda following the signing of the Common Market Protocol by the heads of the five states that form the East African Community.

    Under the protocol which is expected to become effective July 1, 2010, the partner states are obligated to guarantee free movement of persons who are citizens of other member states as well as to ensure non-discrimination of the citizens of the partner states.

    East African nationals shall also enjoy the freedom to apply for employment, accept offers of employment and to move freely within territories of the partner states for the purpose of employment.

    National governments shall, however, limit the free movement of persons on grounds of public policy, public security or public health but must appropriately notify partner states.

    The five regional member states therefore committed to allowing entry of citizens of partner states without visa and to leave the territories without restrictions as well as being allowed to stay in the territory of partner states.

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