Brussels – To develop a special relationship and forge closer ties between the European Union and Andorra and San Marino. These are the objectives of the agreement between the EU and each of the two states, for which the EU Council today (16 July) gave the go-ahead for its signing and its provisional application. It is a comprehensive association agreement covering various policy areas.
Key elements of the agreement include: the two countries’ participation in an enlarged, homogeneous internal market—on a level playing field and in accordance with the same rules as the rest of the EU—and in the financial services sector. As regards access to the internal market in the financial sector, the process will be “gradual” and will depend on “successfully passing an assessment of the soundness of the two countries’ regulatory and supervisory frameworks,” with European supervisory authorities playing a role during the evaluation and monitoring process.
The Association Agreement will also establish a framework for developing and promoting dialogue and cooperation in areas “of common interest,” including research, education, social policy, the environment, consumer protection, culture, and regional cooperation. It also takes into account the specific characteristics of Andorra and San Marino, particularly their proximity to neighbouring EU Member States, their geography, size, and relatively small populations. “The agreement safeguards the EU’s single market and will provide legal certainty, bring benefits to citizens and ensure future prosperity across the region and in Europe as a whole,” said the Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence of the Republic of Ireland, Thomas Byrne.
The Member States are expected to sign the agreement in September, while the European Commission will sign it on behalf of the Union. Following the signing, the Council will seek the consent of the European Parliament before the agreement can be formally concluded.
On the basis of the negotiating directives adopted by the Council in December 2014, in 2015 the Berlaymont building began negotiations for an association agreement with Principality of Andorra, the Principality of Monaco and Republic of San Marino. In September 2023, Monaco and the Commission decided to suspend the negotiations. Andorra and San Marino decided to proceed, and the negotiations continued until their conclusion in December 2023. On 26 April 2024, the Commission presented its proposals for a Council decision on the signing and provisional application of the agreement, as well as for a Council decision on its conclusion.
“This association agreement with Andorra and San Marino will pave the way for a stronger, mutually beneficial and forward-looking partnership,” the minister concluded.
English version by the Translation Service of Withub
