6 (j) substantial liberalisation; (k) consensus in decision-making; and (l) best practices in the RECs, in the State Parties and International Conventions binding the African Union. Article 6 Scope This Agreement shall cover trade in goods, trade in services, investment, intellectual property rights and competition policy. Article 7 Phase II Negotiations 1. 2. In pursuance of the objectives of this Agreement, Member States shall enter into Phase II negotiations in the following areas: (a) intellectual property rights; (b) investment; and (c) competition policy. The negotiations referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article shall commence after the adoption of this Agreement by the Assembly and shall be undertaken in successive rounds. Article 8 Status of the Protocols, Annexes and Appendices 1. The Protocols on Trade in Goods, Trade in Services, Investment, Intellectual Property Rights, Competition Policy, Rules and Procedures on the Settlement of Disputes and their associated Annexes and Appendices shall, upon adoption, form an integral part of this Agreement. 2. The Protocols on Trade in Goods, Trade in Services, Investment, Intellectual Property Rights, Competition Policy, Rules and Procedures on the Settlement of Disputes and their associated Annexes and Appendices shall form part of the single undertaking, subject to entry into force. 3. Any additional instruments, within the scope of this Agreement, deemed necessary, shall be concluded in furtherance of the objectives of the AfCFTA and shall, upon adoption, form an integral part of this Agreement.