Page 54 - Monaco Economy 128

ECONOMY

“Civil Partnership” with Europe Suspended sine die By Milena Radoman

The Principality and the EU have ended negotiations that started in 2015 with a view to a possible
Association Agreement.

© Direction de la Communication / Stephane Danna

De gauche à droite : Isabelle Berro-Amadeï, Ministre des Relations Extérieures, Pierre Sellal du cabinet August-Debouzy, le Ministre d’État Pierre Dartout et le Haut Commissaire aux Affaires
européennes, Isabelle Costa
From left to right: Isabelle Berro-Amadeï, Minister of External Relations, Pierre Sellal of the August-Debouzy cabinet, Minister of State Pierre Dartout and the High Commissioner for European Affairs,
Isabelle Costa

This news has been a bombshell. On 15 The eight years of negotiations, put on hold What's next?
September, a press release announced the for a time by the Brexit and Covid episodes The Principality intends to continue a dialogue
“suspension” of negotiations between Monaco were, it seems, not enough to shift the view of with Brussels but in what form and within what
and the European Union, within the framework European negotiators, stuck on their dogma of framework? Everything will depend on the
of the mandate which had been running respect for The Four Freedoms. “We gradually wishes of the future members of the European
since 2015. “Following a frank and cordial noticed that there was a gap - a significant Commission, which will be renewed following
discussion, those present reached a shared distance between our respective positions - and the European elections in March 2024. “We
understanding that it was impossible to we concluded together that it was not worth are always driven by the desire to have a
reconcile the requirements of the European continuing [...]. We believed for some time that partnership with the European Union, whatever
Union with the red lines established by HSH a certain pragmatism could prevail,” explained its form: but a form which will accept the
Prince Albert II of Monaco at the outset of the Minister of State, Pierre Dartout, a few days founding principles of the Monégasque state.
negotiations. These red lines aim to ensure later at a government press conference. “There We must remain very firm on the boundaries,
that the current living, working and housing was no desire on the part of the European as this is what makes this country unique: its
conditions of nationals and residents in the Commission to exclude Monaco, just as there prosperity, its social balance. What will the EU
Principality are upheld. In this context, the two was no desire on the part of Monaco to break position be? We cannot anticipate it... With a
parties agreed that the conditions were not met with it [...]. The suspension of negotiations does new Commission, new initiatives may appear,”
[…] to conclude an agreement,” indicated the not mean that Monaco is turning its back on hopes Pierre Dartout.
government in the press release, leaving the Europe,” added the minister, as an explanation
duo of Andorra and San Marino to continue to the general public upon the state of mind Moving towards sectoral agreements?
discussions with Brussels. of each party regarding what had occurred. If members of the National Council “encourage

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