If you can't kill them, then make an offer they cannot refuse.
ANDORRA AND SAN MARINO
Background
On 16 December 2014, the General Affairs Council authorised the opening of negotiations for an Association Agreement with Andorra, Monaco* and San Marino.
The Commission took over the responsibility of these negotiations in January 2022.
In its conclusions adopted in June 2022, the Council called on the Commission to finalise the negotiations by the end of 2023.
And now it reached the end pending just referendum votes, you can find the full pdf here:
https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_23_6522
the agreement between EU and micro states like Andorra and San Marino will on paper give them easier access to EU market including financial services,
at the expense of:
There will be a referendum in Andorra next year on this and I guess San Marino too. Local big political parties are pushing and spending hard saying literally they must "educate people" to vote yes, while minorities are talking about "de-andorrification".
SOME QUOTES FROM THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE:
https://andorraue.ad/en/faqs/
ABOUT MONACO
*Note that Monaco was initially included in the negotiations, but "Monaco withdrew from the talks as they were unable to secure priority for their citizens in living and working, in other words sovereignty would be ceded to Brussels".
official MC gov statement
https://en.gouv.mc/Portail-du-Gouve...-Monegasque-delegation-led-by-Ms-Berro-Amadei
Plus foreigners applying for social benefits, housing etc
IMHO Monaco will be the last interesting one standing long-term.
Background
On 16 December 2014, the General Affairs Council authorised the opening of negotiations for an Association Agreement with Andorra, Monaco* and San Marino.
The Commission took over the responsibility of these negotiations in January 2022.
In its conclusions adopted in June 2022, the Council called on the Commission to finalise the negotiations by the end of 2023.
And now it reached the end pending just referendum votes, you can find the full pdf here:
https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_23_6522
the agreement between EU and micro states like Andorra and San Marino will on paper give them easier access to EU market including financial services,
at the expense of:
Call me crazy but I know what happens when the EU puts its hands in those things... and I guess many of you also feel this way.
- At the same time, the Association Agreement will establish a framework to develop and promote dialogue and cooperation in areas of common interest, such as research and development, education, social policy, the environment, consumer protection, culture or regional cooperation.
There will be a referendum in Andorra next year on this and I guess San Marino too. Local big political parties are pushing and spending hard saying literally they must "educate people" to vote yes, while minorities are talking about "de-andorrification".
SOME QUOTES FROM THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE:
https://andorraue.ad/en/faqs/
With the Agreement, Andorra will incorporate into its legal system an important part of European rules in many areas.
It will not be all European legislation, since some matters are excluded from the Association Agreement, and in some cases Andorra is negotiating adaptations of European legislation that will allow it to respect the country's specific characteristics.
Andorra will retain its sovereignty on key issues such as taxation, security and foreign policy.
In all other areas, Andorra will certainly adopt European regulations in accordance with the Association Agreement. It is fair to say that Andorra has been drafting its laws in recent years with Europe in mind. The reality of the country’s geographical, political and economic context means that the Principality's legislation is closely aligned with European legislation without, however, being equivalent to it or having had the opportunity to participate actively in the European legislative process. In this sense, the Association Agreement will bring reinforced sovereignty, since it allows Andorra to take part in the drafting of European Union rules and to sit, at the same level as the EU, on the Joint Committee established by the Agreement
How does the Association Agreement affect social rights in Andorra?
The Agreement includes a chapter on social policies, since the proper development of the internal market includes a social dimension. It should be stressed that this is an area of shared competence between the EU and the Member States, meaning that the EU establishes the minimum conditions to be guaranteed throughout the single market
even the government on its website is pushing hard for this, it pretty much says that:What economic and human costs will the Association Agreement entail for the state?
One of the main concerns the public has in relation to the Association Agreement is the economic and human cost that implementation and operation will entail for the Andorran administration and society. The ongoing regulatory development of the EU internal market represents a considerable challenge. Existing structures will have to be modified and, in some cases, new ones created. The challenge is to transform this difficulty into an opportunity to improve the efficiency and professionalisation of the Andorran administration and business sector.
What will happen if the result of the referendum is negative?
In the event of a negative referendum outcome, the General Council will not ratify the Association Agreement. The Government considers that Andorra would find itself in a very delicate situation, because participation in the internal market would have been rejected and there would be no alignment of Andorran standards with European standards in such important areas as trade, environment, product safety or transport.
This would usher in a scenario of great uncertainty in which it would be unreasonable to think of reopening new negotiations and where Andorra would lack the tools to diversify its economy, open up to foreign investment and fit in with its immediate geographical environment.
For this reason, the current Secretary of State for European Affairs is working to: 1) negotiate the best possible agreement, 2) ensure that the public can adequately follow the progress of the negotiations and be duly informed in order to be able to vote in the referendum, and 3) create the necessary structures so that, in the event of ratification, Andorra will be ready to implement the Association Agreement.
*Note that Monaco was initially included in the negotiations, but "Monaco withdrew from the talks as they were unable to secure priority for their citizens in living and working, in other words sovereignty would be ceded to Brussels".
official MC gov statement
https://en.gouv.mc/Portail-du-Gouve...-Monegasque-delegation-led-by-Ms-Berro-Amadei
one of the the red flags was that by accepting unlimited freedom of movement, potentially the EU could appoint their trojan horses in public positions of the Principality and slowly destroy the Principality sovereignty over time.Following a frank and cordial discussion, those present reached a shared understanding that it was impossible to reconcile the requirements of the European Union with the red lines established by H.S.H. the Prince at the outset of negotiations.
These red lines aim to ensure that the current living, working and housing conditions of nationals and residents in the Principality are upheld.
Both parties agreed that the current mandate of the European Union did not allow these conditions to be met and therefore decided to suspend the negotiations.
Plus foreigners applying for social benefits, housing etc
IMHO Monaco will be the last interesting one standing long-term.