Brussels, 4 February 2019.
The committee on foreign affairs voted today on the draft report on a recommendation to the Council, Commission and the HRVP on the association agreement between the EU and Andorra, Monaco and San Marino. As shadow rapporteur for the EPP, Member of the European Parliament Željana Zovko worked rigorously in order to optimize the consequences of the agreement for both the EU as well as the three partner states.
An important point for Ms. Zovko was the recognition of the particular territorial dimension of Andorra, Monaco and San Marino. Their small size and the relevant social, economic and administrational implications thereof require sufficient attention during the negotiation process. Ms. Zovko proposed the creation of an efficient framework in order to facilitate the implementation of the association agreements and to ensure a consistent interpretation of the EU acquis within the respective states.
The parliamentary report also requests for a rapid conclusion of the negotiations of the association agreement while in meantime to express the importance of the alignment with the EU bodies and policies and the aspects of the four freedoms regarding the Internal Market.
Moreover, the draft report pays tribute to the efforts undertaken by the different parties, in particular regarding transparency, fair taxation and anti-BEPS measures (base erosion and profit shifting).
The final step for this report to be officially adopted is the vote in the plenary session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg that will take place in the week of 11 until 14 March 2019.