Arusha — The government has assured the East African Community (EAC) of its full support towards regional integration efforts.

Prime Minister Mizengo Pinda made the remarks on Monday during his first official visit to the multi-billion shilling EAC headquarters construction project in Arusha.

He said, being a founder member of EAC, Tanzania would continue to strive for the strengthening of the regional bloc to enable it attain the desired goals.

Mr Pinda assured the regional body that, as a host government, Tanzania would provide security and diplomatic advantages to EAC staff from member countries.

He said that, he was happy with the progress made so far in the construction of the Euro14-million (about Sh28 billion) project, which kicked off last January; and that the government would ensure it is completed in time.

Earlier, the EAC deputy secretary general (Political Federation), Ms Beatrice Kiraso, told the PM that the community was gratified that all the five member states have ratified the Common Market Protocol.

"We will continue to pursue a holistic approach; integrating in all sectors and areas," she said adding that, the secretariat has developed special programmes to speed up the integration of Burundi and Rwanda in the community.

The two countries officially joined the regional bloc in July 2007. Some of the integration programmes involving the two countries include recruitment of their nationals to work in various EAC organs and institutions.

Ms Kiraso said the next stage of EA integration is to have a Monetary Union after attainment of the Customs Union, which is now full-fledged; and the Common Market Protocol, which is expected to come into force next month.

She added that, although the Political Federation issue may take sometime to be realised, the region was making a headway progress in peace and security matters as well as in good governance issues.

According to her, the cooperation in defence by EAC partner states; Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya, Burundi and Rwanda has been upgraded into a Protocol on Common Defence Pact. "The region would soon have a Protocol on Peace and Security," said Ms Kiraso.

She commended Tanzania's efforts in speeding up the integration process through granting citizenship to 162,000 former Burundi refugees.