EU Council Representatives study trip to Monaco

©Direction de la Communication - Manuel Vitali

From 28 to 30 June 2023¹, the Working Party on the European Free Trade Association (EFTA)² took part in a study trip to the Principality as part of the ongoing negotiations with which Monaco has been engaged for eight years with the European Union, intending to finalise an Association Agreement.

The European delegation, comprised of representatives from member states, the General Secretariat of the EU Council, and the General Secretariat of the European Commission, were invited by Ms Isabelle Berro-Amadeï, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation and given the opportunity to meet the highest authorities of the State and discuss matters with the government, representatives of institutional bodies, and stakeholders from the private sector.

The crucial focus was to ensure the delegates of the Member States fully appreciate the validity of the requests made by Monaco to preserve its specific characteristics within the framework of these negotiations. For this reason, they were provided with an exhaustive presentation of the demographic, geographical, social and economic realities of the Principality.

At the end of the three-day visit, Ms Berro-Amadeï stated: "The Principality of Monaco is, in many respects, a country whose specific characteristics can be difficult to grasp without first-hand experience. I hope that our partners have been able to uncover the reality of Monaco, a harmonious blend of tradition and modernity, whose institutions are based on the fundamental values of law, democracy and the protection of individual freedom. All of which are values that we share with the European Union.

At the end of a very busy programme, the representatives of the Member States and the European institutions were welcomed by the Minister of State, who explained that "the Government of Monaco considers this visit to be of great importance, as it will enable us to convey to the European institutions and capitals important political messages about what is at stake for the Principality during the current negotiations".

1. Initially scheduled for March 2023, this trip was cancelled due to social unrest in the neighbouring country and has now been rescheduled.

2. The Working Party on the European Free Trade Association is one of 150 Council Working Parties and is made up of diplomats representing the 27 EU Member States, the Council Secretariat and the Commission. Their responsibilities include monitoring negotiations on the Association Agreement between Monaco and the EU on behalf of the Council. This Group prepares the work and decisions to be submitted to the Council for final approval. The Commission reports to the EFTA Group on the progress of the negotiations. Upon completion, this working group will submit recommendations to the Council before signing the agreement. Subsequently, and after consulting the European Parliament, the Council will decide on the conclusion of the Agreement.