The Chair and Vice-Chair of the European Parliament Committee on Foreign Affairs, David Mcallister and Zeliana Zovko, were received today at Palazzo Begni by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Luca Beccari. They are visiting San Marino and tomorrow they will meet the Members of the Permanent Parliamentary Commission for Foreign Affairs.

One year ago, Vice-Chair Zovko had already visited San Marino to express her support for the ongoing process between the Republic of San Marino and the European Union to conclude the Association Agreement.

Today, the delegation of MEPs confirms their closeness and convinced support, at a time when the ongoing negotiations are particularly intense, as we approach the finalisation of the Agreement.

Both Guests expressed their strong encouragement to work with determination for a goal that will have a positive impact on the San Marino economy, fostering an integration into the single market that is both beneficial and respectful of the Republic's specificities.

Minister Beccari recalled the importance of being able to rely on the various collaborations and friendships within the European Institutions, emphasising the value of the existing good relations, both at bilateral and multilateral level, which play a decisive role in supporting San Marino's determination to achieve greater European integration.

"The forms of dialogue and open discussion also with the European Parliament are important," said Minister Beccari, "since they offer us the opportunity to share the democratic progress of our institutions, in relation to the new status that we are going to acquire vis-à-vis the European Union and also in the face of global scenarios, which require broad cooperation between States. We are pleased with the presence in the Republic of San Marino of the MEPs, who follow our process of association also through their common membership of the European People's Party".

At the end of the meeting at Palazzo Begni, the Guests were accompanied to the Government Building for the official audience granted to them by Their Excellencies the Captains Regent, H.E. Filippo Tamagnini and H.E. Gaetano Troina.

San Marino, 12 October 2023