San Marino–European Union relations

• European Union
• San Marino

The Republic of San Marino is not a member of the European Union. San Marino is both economically and politically and culturally closely connected to the EU. Official relations between San Marino and the then European Communities exist, since February 1983.

Agreement on Cooperation and Customs Union San Marino

The Agreement between San Marino and the EU on the creation of a customs union and of further cooperation was signed in Brussels in 1991. It entered into force on 1 April 2002.

The agreement guarantees in addition to a common external tariff against third countries reciprocal tariff freedom and workers equal treatment. Workers are treated in San Marino and in the EU Member States in principle. Enjoy protection against discrimination.

In addition, both sides agreed to enhance cooperation at the environmental, cultural and academic exchanges as well as the implementation of Community law in the field of animal welfare, plant protection, quality control, customs and on agricultural products.

The agreement calls for ' Cooperation Committee EU - San Marino to life, which is to monitor the application and decide disputes.

San Marino is currently interested in expanding the scope of the Agreement.

On 1 July 2009 San Marino has acceded to the European Patent Convention. CTMs are therefore fully applicable also in San Marino.

Euro

San Marino is connected in a monetary union with Italy since 1862. Until the introduction of the euro, the Italian lira was the official currency along with the San Marino lira. San Marino has adopted the euro as its official currency since 1 January 2002 on the basis of an agreement negotiated by Italy monetary agreement with the EU. The country has granted the right to bring their own euro coins in circulation that are recognized throughout the euro area as a valid means of payment to the EU. San Marino may establish in Euro coins up to a nominal value of EUR 1.944 million a year in circulation. These will be deducted from the Italian share of the euro.

In addition, San Marino reserves the right to mint its own coins collectors. Denominated in scudi gold coins are, however, not recognized in the euro area as a means of payment.

In November 2009, the EU decided that the future of the European Court of Justice shall serve for arbitration in case of disputes between the Euro - zone and San Marino. Euro countries could be assigned to infringements of the rules for the single currency with EU sanctions. In countries such as the Vatican and San Marino existed in accordance with applicable agreements, however, for violations no influence.

Taxation

On 16 March 2005 an agreement with the EU on the taxation of income from savings deposits of non-residents in San Marino entered into force. However, San Marino is still considered a low-tax country, although bilateral agreement with Italy to prevent an overly liberal tax and fiscal policy.

In the fight against tax fraud, the EU is currently in talks with San Marino on the conclusion of an agreement to combat fraud. San Marino has committed to support the European-wide application of the OECD standards on combating tax fraud.

Schengen

San Marino is not subject to the Schengen Agreement. However, there are the only neighboring country Italy traditionally no border controls. Schengen visas will be accepted for entry to San Marino.

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The question of an EU membership application is currently not actively pursued by the Sammarinese government. A membership in the European Economic Area ( EEA), which includes in addition to the EU Member States, Liechtenstein, Iceland and Norway, San Marino closes the medium is not sufficient. Prerequisite for inclusion in the EEA would be the previous membership in EFTA.

Once was for San Marino centuries primarily a more isolationist policy, the interest in working in international organizations since entering the Euro Europe ( 1988) and the United Nations (1992 ) has intensified.