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Romania backs EU-San Marino association agreement
Romania backs an association agreement between the European Union and San Marino, and the Romanian officials hope this agreement will be completed in 2019, when Romania holds the presidency of the Council of the European Union, Romanian Foreign Minister Teodor Melescanu said on Friday.
He held a joint press statement with his counterpart of San Marino, Nicola Renzi.
The Romanian Foreign Minister said this is the first visit of a Foreign Minister of San Marino to Romania and it is one charged of symbolic significance.
"This year, in 2018, we celebrate 50 years of diplomatic relations," Melescanu pointed out. He said that, during the consultations with his counterpart, he also spoke of the future of the economic relations between the two countries. "The business forum organised by Romania's Embassy in Rome, last year, represented an important step in developing these relations and we believe the conclusions must be further capitalised on," Melescanu mentioned.
At the same time, the Romanian Minister stressed that the Romanians of San Marino "represent the second category of non-nationals living on the republic territory." In this context, he said, he spoke with Renzi about "the possible idea of concluding a consular agreement."
"I also highlighted Romania's firm position of supporting the advancement of the evolutions in the area of negotiating an association agreement between the European Union and the Republic of San Marino," Melescanu detailed and also pointed out a possible date for concluding it.
"We voiced the hope that this agreement will be completed on the occasion or under Romania's presidency in 2019," the Romanian Foreign Minister explained.
In his turn, Nicola Renzi said that the relations between the two countries have evolved including due "to the presence of a large number of Romanian citizens in San Marino." The citizens of San Marino have "a profound gratitude" for the Romanians working in this country, the official highlighted.
Nicola Renzi underscored that his country is grateful for the support referring to the EU - San Marino association agreement. The official said that he also spoke with his counterpart about the economic relation between the two countries and mentioned "an important objective that must be achieved" - a possible collaboration between the chambers of commerce of Romania and San Marino.