The Ambassador of Ireland to the United Republic of Tanzania, Mr. Paul Sherlock presented credentials to the Secretary General of the East African Community on 5th October 2016 at the East African Community Headquarters, Arusha, Tanzania. The Secretary General of the East African Community, Amb. Liberat Mfumukeko, received credentials from Ambassador Sherlock, who has been accredited to the EAC.

 

The Secretary General warmly welcomed Amb. Sherlock to the EAC and briefed him on the current achievements in the pillars of the regional integration and development process. He said the Community had expanded tremendously within a short spell of time, which has necessitated the Community to review its institutional set-up and work on sustainable financing mechanism.

 

Amb. Mfumukeko further informed Ambassador of the reforms he had instituted within the Organs and Institutions of the Community aimed at cost cutting and prudent financial management.

 

In his remarks, Amb. Sherlock commended the Secretary General on progress in deepening the regional integration agenda. He said achieving the Customs Union and the Common Market and moving towards a Monetary Union within such a short time for the Community was impressive.

 

Amb. Mfumukeko and the Irish Ambassador discussed several issues including the status of the EAC-EU Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) and the Inter-Burundi Dialogue. They also explored areas of collaboration in trade and investment, agro-processing, tourism and ICT.

 

The Secretary General informed Amb. Sherlock that the EAC Secretariat was ready to send an EAC Mission to Ireland to meet the Irish Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Tourism and Investment Agencies, and other stakeholders to further specific areas of cooperation.

 

Also present at the accreditation ceremony were Mr. Robert Hull, the Second Secretary at the Embassy of Ireland in Dar es Salaam, Deputy Secretaries General Mr. Charles Njoroge (Political Federation) and Hon. Christophe Bazivamo, and other senior officials at the EAC Secretariat.