Monaco and the European Union have ended negotiations on an Association Agreement after the EU failed to accept Prince Albert’s “red line” that’s been drawn to protect the rights of Monegasque nationals.
The news was revealed by the Prince’s Government in a statement on Friday, stating that Executive Vice-President of the European Commission Maroš Šefčovič and a delegation led by Monaco’s Minister of External Relations and Cooperation Isabelle Berro-Amadei met on Thursday 14th September in Brussels.
“At the end of a frank and cordial exchange, the participants drew up the shared observation of an impossibility of reconciling the demands of the European Union with the red lines established by H.S.H. the Prince at the opening of these discussions, which aim to ensure that the current living, working and housing conditions of nationals and residents in the Principality are maintained,” revealed the government.
Years-long negotiations between the European Commission and Monegasque officials were due to conclude by the end of 2023 with the signing of an Association Agreement, based on the EUs mandate of the four freedoms of movement – people, capital, services and goods – and the preservation of the integrity of the internal market.
However, “both parties agreed that the conditions were not met within the current mandate of the European Union to conclude an agreement and agreed to suspend the negotiations,” said the government, adding, “The EU is and will remain a privileged partner of the Principality. The EU and Monaco share many common values and the Principality will continue to support the EU’s action on the international scene, particularly in terms of sanctions. Monaco therefore wishes to continue the dialogue and reflect, with the European Union, on ways to strengthen this relationship.”
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