The EFTA Group of the Council of the European Union, in charge of the follow-up of the negotiations for the conclusion of an Association Agreement between Monaco and the EU, has just completed a three-day working visit to the Principality.

Gilles Tonelli, Minister of External Relations and Cooperation, said he was satisfied with the outcome of the visit whose objectives were achieved: “In the event of a conclusion to the negotiations, it is the EU Council which will ultimately have to approve the draft agreement that has been finalised. It is therefore essential that the diplomats of the EU Member States, who are responsible for our negotiations, can see for themselves the realities of the country in a very concrete way. The eclecticism of the program and the numerous exchanges with a wide variety of partners, both institutional and private, have shown the different faces of Monaco and its economy. This type of study visit is essential for the arguments that support our claims to be verified in order to be admitted.”

Philip Bittner, Counsellor at the Permanent Representation of Austria to the EU and Chairman-in-Office of the EFTA Group, said that this visit had enabled the members of the Group to “better understand the commitments made by the Principality of Monaco and expectations for the future association agreement with the European Union, which must take into account the particular situation of the country, in accordance with Article 8 of the EU Treaty.”

He added that the European Union and the Principality of Monaco are each stable and reliable partners between whom cooperation is excellent.