The Association Agreement between San Marino and the European Union is back at the heart of political debate. On Thursday, September 10, the Government will provide an update on the progress of the negotiations during a session of the Standing Council Committee for Foreign Affairs, convened at the Kursaal Congress Centre from 2:00 to 8:00 p.m.
The Agreement with Brussels will be one of the main topics discussed during the public part of the session. The second item on the agenda is in fact the “Report by the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs on the state of progress of the association agreement with the European Union.” The session will therefore give the Committee an opportunity to take stock of the European dossier and the latest developments in the association process.
The Committee will also address several other foreign policy matters. These include the establishment of diplomatic relations with the Republic of Namibia, as well as a report on the career progression of officials within the diplomatic corps. The agenda also includes the establishment of consular offices and the appointment of diplomatic and consular agents.
During the public session, several international conventions will also be examined. The first concerns the safety of United Nations personnel and associated personnel, together with its related Optional Protocol. This will be followed by the 2004 International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships’ Ballast Water and Sediments, and the 2001 Convention on the Control of Harmful Anti-fouling Systems on Ships.
Once the public session concludes, proceedings will continue behind closed doors. The agenda for the closed session includes matters relating to permits for minors, parental leave permits, grants of registered residency and ordinary residence permits. The Committee will also address the renewal and, in some cases, the revocation of residency status, as well as the revocation of a previous Committee resolution.
