Assembly/AU/Dec.608 (XXVII) Page 1 DECISION ON THE CONTINENTAL FREE TRADE AREA The Assembly, 1. TAKES NOTE with appreciation of the presentation made on the progress achieved on the establishment of the Continental Free Trade Area (CFTA) in Africa; 2. REAFFIRMS its decision of fast tracking the establishment of the CFTA for Africa’s economic freedom and meaningful participation in the global trading system; 3. DECIDES to establish a High Level Panel of five (5) eminent persons (one from each region) to champion the fast tracking of the CFTA; 4. REQUESTS the Commission to: i) Formulate, in collaboration with the Regional Economic Communities (RECs), recommendations and submit thereon to the next ordinary session of the Assembly scheduled for January 2017; ii) Prepare and circulate to Member States draft negotiating texts on trade in goods and in services to be used for national consultations with a view to soliciting inputs from governments and to guide the work of the CFTA Negotiating Forum in order to fast track the negotiations of the CFTA; iii) Present feasible options on how to eliminate non-trade barriers among African countries to foster intra-African trade. 5. CALLS ON Member States to speak with one voice on all issues related to trade negotiations with third parties; 6. REQUESTS the Commission to report on the implementation of this decision at the next ordinary session of the Assembly scheduled for January 2017.