«It’s right that the outcome be, as much as possible, an outcome shared by all». This was the message delivered by Manuel Ciavatta (PDCS) during his address to the Foreign Affairs Committee, in the debate dedicated to the Association Agreement between San Marino and the European Union.
Ciavatta highlighted how close the signing of the agreement now is, while focusing above all on the next phase — implementation — and acknowledging the contribution made over time by the various political forces and successive governments. The councillor also addressed the possible legislative instrument for regulating the incorporation of the EU acquis, arguing for the need to keep the dialogue open with the opposition as well.
Below is the full text of Manuel Ciavatta’s (PDCS) remarks, unedited.
“First of all, I thank Secretary Beccari for the update he gave earlier, which clearly shows that the signing of the Association Agreement is drawing ever closer. We await this date with great anticipation, because it truly marks the conclusion of a journey that will then need to be consolidated through subsequent measures, moving from the negotiation phase to that of implementation. I think this is the first important point to underline. Since the Festa dell’Amicizia [Friendship Festival] was mentioned, I cannot help but respond. I don’t believe Secretary Venturini was handing out report cards to the parties. I believe he was simply highlighting the role — an extremely positive one, in fact — played by political forces, both in the majority and in opposition, at the various stages of the path toward the Association Agreement with the European Union. It’s not a matter of grades, but recognition of the work that has been done together by this Council chamber, almost unanimously, with a few minor exceptions. As for the comments on the Council’s regulations, this is not the moment for that debate, since we will address it in Council next week. It is clear, however, that since there is an open piece of legislation, currently at second reading, if there were a will to include within it a provision allowing for a delegation of powers — to be defined later and by shared agreement — regarding the procedures for incorporating the EU acquis, I don’t think that would amount to some kind of affront to anyone. We find ourselves dealing with this legislation precisely at the moment when we have received confirmation that the Agreement is being finalised, and therefore with a much closer horizon than what will also be required for its implementation. If there is no such will, that’s not a problem either. There is no intention to exclude anyone — quite the opposite: the idea is to establish, as has been done on other occasions, legislative tools that can be agreed upon together, just like the other amendments that will be discussed in advance with the opposition as well, should there be willingness to do so. In closing, since this clause is explicitly dedicated to the European Union, I want to sincerely thank everyone for the work done so far. It is work that has involved all political forces, several governments and various Secretaries of State, some of whom are present here in the chamber today as councillors, but who clearly played their part. It is therefore right that the outcome be, as much as possible, an outcome shared by all. And I hope that the work we still have ahead of us will also, as far as possible, be carried out together and shared.”
