Ghana in Search of Regional Integration Agenda 192 activities are closely harmonised and coordinated with the activities of the Peace and Security Council. The Peace and Security Council shall, through the Chairperson of the Commission, also keep the Regional Mechanisms fully and continuously informed of its activities. 4. In order to ensure close harmonisation and coordination and facilitate regular exchange of information, the Chairperson of the Commission shall convene periodic meetings, but at least once a year, with the Chief Executives and/or the officials in charge of peace and security within the Regional Mechanisms. 5. The Chairperson of the Commission shall take the necessary measures, where appropriate, to ensure the full involvement of Regional Mechanisms in the establishment and effective functioning of the Early Warning system and the African Standby Force. 6. Regional Mechanisms shall be invited to participate in the discussion of any question brought before the Peace and Security Council whenever that question being addressed by the Regional Mechanism is of special interest. 7. The Chairperson of the Commission shall be invited to participate in meetings and deliberations of Regional Mechanisms. 8. In order to strengthen coordination and cooperation, the Commission shall establish liaison offices to the Regional Mechanisms. The Regional Mechanisms shall be encouraged to establish liaison offices to the Commission. 9. On the basis of the above provisions, a Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation shall be concluded between the Commission and the Regional Mechanisms. From the above provisions, there appears to be a significant and broadened scope for concerted efforts at conflict prevention and for harmonised and coordinated strategies between the AU and Regional Mechanisms to curb conflicts on the African Continent. This marks a shift from the non-interventionist principle of the OAU and brings to the fore growing opportunities to promote conflict prevention within an integrated institutional framework. To this end, a Policy Framework for the Establishment of the African Standby Force(ASF) and the Military Staff Commission was approved by African leaders in 2004 coupled with the appeal to“international cooperating partners” of the AU, including the G8, the EU and the UN as well as bilateral partners to provide the support required to facilitate the establishment of the ASF. 231 The Policy Framework outlines the various conflict scenarios that the AU would have to respond to either through regional monitoring, peace-keeping or peace enforcement(intervention) mission; the mandating authority which requires that the AU will seek UN Security Council authorisation of its enforcement actions, and regional mechanisms, AU authorisation of their interventions. A key concept adopted in the Framework is that the ASF will consist of five standby brigades, one in 231 See http://www.africa-union.org/root/AU/AU/Departments/PSC/PSC/CD.Meeting the Challenge of Conflict.....sourced 1 March 2009.