SECTION 6

Procedures for establishing the Community 1. The Economic Community of Central African States shall be progressively established over a period of twelve years subdivided into three four-year stages. 2. Each stage shall have allotted to it a set of actions to be initiated and carried through concurrently, as follows: a) First stage: stability of the fiscal and customs regime existing at the date of entry into force of the Treaty, and the carrying out of studies to determine the timetable for the progressive removal of tariff and non-tariff barriers to intra- Community trade; setting a timetable for increases or decreases in the customs tariffs of Member States with a view to the adoption of a common external tariff; b) Second stage: creation of a free trade area (application of the timetable for the progressive elimination of tariff and non-tariff barriers to intra-Community trade); c) Third stage: establishment of the customs union (adoption of the common external tariff). 3. Transition from one stage to another shall be subject to confirmation that the essential elements of the specific aims laid down by this Treaty or by the Conference have been achieved and undertakings observed. On a proposal from the Council, the Conference shall confirm that the aims allotted to a stage have been achieved and shall decide on the transition to the next stage. 4. The total duration of the stages may be increased or reduced only be virtue of a decision adopted by consensus. However, decisions taken shall not have the effect of reducing the transition period to ten years or increasing it to more than twenty years from the entry into force of this Treaty.