EAST AFRICAN COMMUNITY SECRETARY GENERAL HOLDS TALKS WITH FRENCH ENVOY

ARUSHA, Tanzania, May 30, 2012/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- The Secretary General of the East African Community Amb. Dr. Richard today held talks with HE Marcel Escure, French Ambassador to the United Republic of Tanzania who called on him at his office in Arusha, Tanzania. HE Marcel Escure is also accredited to the regional bloc as France's representative.

The Secretary General and Amb. Escure discussed a wide range of issues pertaining to regional integration and the role the French Government could play in the integration agenda.

On behalf of the East African Community, the Secretary General extended, through the Ambassador, warm congratulations to President François Hollande upon his election as President of France in the just concluded presidential elections. Amb. Sezibera noted that the region was looking forward to the period ahead of strengthened relations between the East African Community and France.

The Secretary General was accompanied by, among others, his Deputy in charge of Finance and Administration Mr. Jean Claude Nsengiyumva, while the French Ambassador was accompanied by Mr. Alain Damais and Mr. Frederic Choblet, both Senior Officials from French Ministry for the Economy, Finance and Industry; Mr. Eric Duedal, Head of Regional Economic Department in Nairobi; Ms. Estelle Cholet, Commercial Attaché at the French Embassy in Dar es Salaam; and Mr. François Kruger, Administrator for the French Treasury at the African Development Bank..