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the government to continue the dialogue with
a view to possible future sectoral agreements
which do not commit to the sustainability
of the Monaco model” it is uncertain as to
whether this would resonate favourably with the
European Commission. “I don't think they have
insight on this subject, because the same could
be immediately claimed by a different country
[…]. On the other hand, we can have positions
of principle, so as not to create a precedent for
other countries,” said the Minister of State. The
Commission had got its fingers burnt by the
contractual conundrum of Switzerland, the EU © DepositPhotos
having signed 130 sectoral agreements with
the Swiss confederation before an abortive
attempt to negotiate a global Association
Agreement. Michel Barnier: “Specifics can be examined at a later date”
Coincidentally, it was on the very day of the suspension of negotiations with the EU that
Consequences of a no-deal Michel Barnier, former European Commissioner (Internal Market and Services 2010 to
The no-deal hypothesis was also taken into 2014) was received at the princely palace. The day before, this chief Brexit negotiator,
account by an impact study, the conclusions a guest of the Monaco Press Club, delivered his vision of Europe and Brexit before an
of which were made public this summer. The audience of 80 Monégasque personalities, a vision all the more interesting when we
government commissioned August Debouzy, consider that some of the members of the the Brexit negotiating team were in charge
as well as Accuracy, to carry out a prospective of discussing a possible Association Agreement with Monégasque authorities…
study based on different scenarios (deal/no- For this four-times French cabinet minister, “it is an illusion to believe that we can defend
deal) and their economic, legal and political our interests and values by being all alone in today’s world. The Single Market is our
consequences for the Principality. “One might main asset and the only reason why the Chinese and American presidents respect us,”
think the Commission will show little eagerness declared Michel Barnier, adding, “Do not confuse the divorce that was Brexit with the
to respond to requests for recognition of potential civil partnership that Monaco is negotiating.” According to the author of My
equivalence (between Monégasque law and EU Secret Brexit Diary: A Glorious Illusion (Gallimard), the European Commission, which
law) that the Principality could put forward, for is “very rigorous in respecting the rules”, must “take into account the identity and
example in relation to General Data Protection specificity of each country in discussion with the EU. The uniqueness of Monaco must
Regulation (GDPR), considering that up to now be advocated. This must be explained to Brussels for as long as they are not taking
the Commission was advocating a complete into account the risk that Monégasques will be excluded from or dispossessed of the
transposition of the GDPR of Monaco into the destiny of Monaco […]. I have often said that Brexit was a lesson in patience and, in the
framework of the Association Agreement. same way, perhaps the negotiations between Monaco and the European Union are as
Likewise, it would be difficult for Monaco well,” something that should be kept in mind in the event of a resumption of negotiations
to request the negotiation of new sectoral with Brussels. After all, the Eastern European and Baltic countries that joined in 2004
agreements for which the need would appear were granted an exemption, with freedom of movement not applicable for seven years.
in the years to come, as the EU adopted Why should a state that does not even want to join not have any exceptions applied to
an attitude of non-availability to negotiate it, even though it has unique characteristics (minority nationals within the population,
new sectoral agreements with Switzerland, 55,000 commuters, the vast majority of whom in the private sector)? “The specifics
following of the latter's rejection of the draft can be examined at a later date,” believes Michel Barnier, who will undoubtedly be seen
framework agreement," details the study by again in the European election campaign. The former minister would like to see himself
the two firms, August Debouzy and Accuracy. heading up the French Republicans...
These same consultants also believe "it is not
so much negative measures – and even less
sanctions - that we should fear in the case of
a renunciation of the Association Agreement
with Monaco; but rather a less cooperative
and more wait-and-see attitude on the part
of the EU, in particular the Commission, with
regard to possible requests or needs on the
part of the Principality.” Why would the EU take
retaliatory measures if the decision to suspend © WSM
negotiations was taken jointly?

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