Brussels 07.05.2024 “…The Association Agreement with Andorra and San Marino – one of the most far-reaching offered by the EU to outside partners – is a testimony to these efforts” said the executive Vice-President of the European Commission Maroš Šefčovič at the press conference on the EU Association Agreement with Andorra and San Marino.

The press conference by European Executive Vice-President Maroš ŠEFČOVIČ and the Prime Minister of Andorra Xavier ESPOT and the Foreign Affairs Minister of San Marino Luca BECCARI, on the finalisation of the Association Agreements with Andorra and San Marino took place in the premisis of the European Commission.

https://audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/video/I-257050

“On one hand, aligning the two countries with the EU’s internal market framework will bring mutual advantages. At the same time, it will strengthen our political ties” the Commissioner said.
“Therefore, I am truly glad that today, we are marking this important milestone together”.

“And I look forward to further opportunities to join forces, in order to achieve our shared objective of bringing the Association Agreement across the finish line – and in doing so, opening a new chapter in our relations, to the benefit of people in Andorra, San Marino, and the EU alike.

At the end of April the European Commission completed the work on the legal text of the Association Agreement, based on ambitious outcome of our negotiations last December.

The proposal is now awaiting the approval from the Council, whose work is well underway, with the upcoming Hungarian Presidency also interested in swift progress.

Following these events, the Association Agreement will be passed on to the European Parliament for its consent.

Subsequently the EU is looking forward to the successful ratification of the Agreement as soon as the procedure is concluded. The rapid pace of this progress mirrors the importance we place on the Agreement and our relations with Andorra and San Marino in general.

In parallel, Andorra and San Marino will be completing their own ratification procedures, which for the former, includes a referendum, and for the latter, approval by the national parliament.

The Commissioner has underlined that the current geopolitical context gave a whole new dimension to the need to consolidate our partnership with neighbours and other countries sharing the same values.

The Association Agreement with Andorra and San Marino – one of the most far-reaching offered by the EU to outside partners – is a testimony to these efforts.

On one hand, aligning the two countries with the EU’s internal market framework will bring mutual advantages. At the same time, it will strengthen our political ties.

“Therefore, I am truly glad that today, we are marking this important milestone together” Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič concluded.