The PRESIDENT
Thank you
very much, Your Excellencies, for your most interesting address.
Members of the Assembly have questions to put to you. I remind
them that questions must be limited to 30 seconds and no more. Colleagues
should be asking questions and not making speeches.
The first question is from Mr Allavena, on behalf of the Group
of the European People’s Party.
Mr ALLAVENA (Monaco) (interpretation)
As a representative
of the only other tiny country in this Assembly, I welcome this double
presentation, which was full of wisdom. What can small countries
such as ours in this Assembly do to inculcate in our own countries
the good practices of others, or perhaps you think we have a different
part to play? What can we do about the more serious problems that
face us? Are there ways in which we can hold our weight, or punch
above our weight, in negotiations?
Captain Regent, Captain Regent of the Republic of San Marino (interpretation)
Thank you for your question, which
provides me with an opportunity to say again how the values of small
States in Assemblies such as this and in the Council of Europe mean
that they are strengthened. In democratic institutions, we must
ensure that the number of citizens is not the main feature; the
main feature should be participation and the values and implementation
of human rights in all our States. The role of small States should
be welcomed and enhanced, particularly because they do not have
major economic interests to defend. As a result, they can be free
to act as mediators with regard to the situations around them, so
we think it is important to belong to the major European family
of the Council of Europe. We feel that it is strengthened by that.
Captain Regent, Captain Regent of the Republic of San Marino (interpretation)
I thank you for your question, because it is at the heart
of the interests of those of us who come from small countries that
are of strategic importance. The approach of San Marino is to have
an ever closer rapprochement with Europe. There have been various
stages. The first stage was cultural and social awareness of what
this choice would mean. Then there was a period of maturity. Then there
were negotiations, with a certain determination to find those goals
that would be in the interests of both sides. Therefore, we do not
look at this particular phase with any fear of slipping backwards.
We know that, in various aspects, our role as small States is recognised
for its fundamental contribution to Europe. There is also an openness
on our side perhaps to give up some of our own peculiar characteristics
to be able to join in something that would be of interest and value
to both sides and an openness to supranational interests.
The PRESIDENT
Thank you.
The next question is from Ms Bonet, on behalf of the Socialist Group.
Ms BONET (Andorra) (interpretation)
I welcome you
to the Assembly. I have more or less the same question but I will
pose it differently. San Marino and Monaco are establishing this
special status with the Council of Europe. There are countries that
are not members but involve themselves in the Assembly to be more
effective on issues such as immigration. They offer, in their idiosyncratic
situation as small countries, a different view or approach to solving these
issues.
(interpretation)
As
you say, this question is rather similar to the first. We small countries
play a fundamental role at this stage. The Republic of San Marino
has, in the past few years, faced two crises, which are linked:
the international economic crisis, of course, which had important
knock-on effects for us; and a more structural crisis, to do with
the decision to change the main assets on which the economy of the
republic was based. That was a brave and important decision to take.
With regard to our efforts to ensure greater integration, if other
countries find themselves in the same position, we hope that we
can share our experience regarding our courageous decision. We are
fully aware of our counterparts. We are on a small scale, but we
have our own special characteristics, and we are sure that our negotiations
will have a very positive outcome.
Captain Regent, Captain Regent of the Republic of San Marino (interpretation)
I would like to answer the second
part of your question, about the role of small States in human and
humanitarian tragedies. What can small States do? We can do a lot
– perhaps not a great deal in terms of hosting refugees and providing
them with a haven, but a lot to raise our citizens’ awareness of
these issues and of the need to be welcoming. We can provide solidarity
and support, particularly of an economic nature. We are only 60
sq km, of course, and we do not have much space or any reception
centres, but there are a lot of humanitarian organisations on our
territory, and of course they are trying to help as many refugees
as they can, as fully as they can. Our Regency aims to make a targeted appeal
to our population, so that they respond generously, and show human
solidarity. We hope that families can take in some of these people,
and we hope to provide some State support for those who say that
they can take refugees – particularly children fleeing war zones
– into their homes.
On the role of small States, two years ago, the small States,
including the Republic of San Marino, finding themselves in agreement
on many points, set up an initiative. We agreed to present a recommendation
to the Parliamentary Assembly on the need to face up to the global
problem of immigration, which the few States that are on the frontline,
including small States such as Greece, Cyprus and Malta, cannot
deal with alone. Small States can easily play an active role in
raising awareness of this great tragedy of mass migration – a phenomenon
of the last year or two.
The PRESIDENT
Thank you.
The next question is from Ms Brasseur, on behalf of the Alliance
of Liberals and Democrats for Europe.
Ms BRASSEUR (Luxembourg) (interpretation)
Thank you.
Your ancient land – the land of freedom, as you called it – has welcomed
many people. In Europe, fundamental freedoms are at risk. What can
we do to fight together against the deterioration in our fundamental
and human rights? I have just been appointed ambassador for the
No Hate Speech campaign. I have listened carefully to what you have
said, and take it that both of you will be able to sign up to the
campaign. Thank you.
Captain Regent, Captain Regent of the Republic of San Marino (interpretation)
Of course, the Council of Europe’s
activities are extremely important for us. We have been part of
the campaign against hatred, and there is an important role for
us in making our citizens aware of it. We are an ancient country
of liberty, and our liberties are fundamental rights. If events
pose any risk to the fundamental rights that we have had for thousands
of years, we will work together effectively through dialogue and
public awareness – they are the key to everything – to resolve issues,
using frameworks such as the No Hate Speech campaign. In our charter
of rights, we underline the importance of dialogue, opposing war,
and dealing with the issues that are critical to our times; we can
do this through the Council, by taking action in our republic, and
through the international community. There ought to be inter-cultural
and inter-religious dialogue. We must repudiate war above all; that
ought to be at the core of our dialogue.
The PRESIDENT
The next
question is from Mark Pritchard, on behalf of the European Conservatives
Group.
Mr PRITCHARD (United Kingdom)
Whether
we are talking of San Marino, Andorra, Monaco, Luxembourg or even
the United Kingdom, there is a huge difference between legal tax
avoidance and illegal tax evasion. What more do you think that all
Council members can do in their respective countries to increase
transparency in banking, while ensuring that large companies and
very wealthy individuals pay the tax that they should pay, so that
we can run our countries?
Captain Regent, Captain Regent of the Republic of San Marino (interpretation)
Thank you for your question, because it allows us to remind colleagues
of the great steps our republic has taken on this issue, which is
of course very delicate; since 2008 and 2009, it has been at the
forefront of our considerations. We have adopted a clear approach
of transparency – of being open to all international bodies, in
complete accordance with international laws and standards. I am sure
that you can recall various past situations. This issue involves
fighting corruption, setting up support structures, and avoiding
complicated structures. There are costs for the countries that take
this route, but that should not deter leaders and populations from
adopting this important approach. We have to be able to succeed
in embodying these aims. We have to further examine the issue in
future, too.
The PRESIDENT
Thank you.
The next speaker is Mr Kox, on behalf of the Group of the Unified
European Left.
Mr KOX (Netherlands)
I recall
that, after the Council of Europe summit in 2005 in Warsaw, negotiations started
between the Council of Europe and the European Union. We still have
to thank you, because it was the San Marino presidency that was
finally able to arrange a memorandum of understanding between the
two organisations. Almost 10 years later, how do the Captains Regent
evaluate the development of the co-operation between the European
Union and the Council of Europe? Would the San Marino Government support
the organisation of a fourth summit of Council of Europe Heads of
State and Government, as proposed by the Standing Committee in Sofia
last year?
Captain Regent, Captain Regent of the Republic of San Marino (interpretation)
It is an invitation that we accept
with great excitement and enthusiasm. The Government of San Marino
supports the idea of a fourth summit and would very much like to undertake
its organisation. Why not? The question emphasises some of the responses
that we have given about small States and the roles that they can
play. Our activities over the last couple of years have served some
important causes.
The Council of Europe and the European Union are a reality
not only for the European continent but much broader in world economics
and humanitarian activity. One major institution complements the
other, and they are important for economic development. The co-operation
agreement has served all very well, and anybody who refutes that
argument can be proved false.
The PRESIDENT
The next
question is from Mr Vareikis.
Mr VAREIKIS (Lithuania)
Everybody asks
what small countries can do for international organisations to solve
problems that big countries cannot solve. My question is the opposite.
What are your expectations of what the bigger countries can do to
help you feel a respected and fully fledged member of international
society?
Captain Regent, Captain Regent of the Republic of San Marino (interpretation)
That question gives us the honour to state what we can offer
within a larger community. Our sovereignty is guarded on a daily
basis; that is an important battle. Numerous events show again and
again the role of small States in large forums such as this.
Our history shows the role that we have played in immigration
and taking in refugees, which tells us about the importance of small
countries. Emigration is important too. Part of our population had
to leave San Marino after the war in search of new opportunities,
and for that reason many of our citizens no longer reside within
our territory. We have hosted large waves of immigrants during the
major world conflagrations because of our neutrality in those conflicts.
Many people have sought refuge in San Marino. There is a museum
dedicated to immigration in San Marino that records our experience
of major movements of population, and tells us all something about
the importance of those events in the history of both San Marino
and the world. The role that we have played with regard to those
movements of peoples must be alive in historical memory. It is not
only something of the past, but very much the reality today. Our
contribution is valuable; there is no question about that.
The PRESIDENT
The next
question is from Mr Ghiletchi, but I do not see him so I call Mr Gopp.
Mr GOPP (Liechtenstein) (interpretation)
You said
that San Marino finds itself in a process of transformation because
of its financial status. Does that have any effect on the budget?
What measures are you taking? You talked about your integration
into Europe. Are you interested in the European Economic Area?
Captain Regent, Captain Regent of the Republic of San Marino (interpretation)
I tried to explain this before, but the question provides
me with an opportunity to reiterate it. Our brave and firm decision
– we do not want to go back on it – has had considerable impact
on the State budget. It is not a concern but an observation: the
choice must remain irreversible and we must remain resolute. We
need to explain to our population of 33 000 what the choice involves,
what its down side will be, and what possible new developments for
our economy might lead on from it.
Perhaps I can respond to the previous question too. We want
an audience, because we are convinced that internationalisation
pursuant to the rules of transparency might open up new possibilities,
give a boost to our economy and attract foreign investors. That
is important for our country and we will, of course, follow the
rules of transparency when dealing with international and supranational
organisations.
We are clear that this is a choice that may involve considerable
sacrifices for our population. None the less, we stand by it resolutely.
We want to emerge from the two crises, one of which was a structural
crisis, while the other was a specific momentary crisis. We are
changing the strategic assets of our country, although that will not
provide an immediate response to the global crisis. Our country
was helped by the supranational organisations of individual States,
which may be able to offer further assistance.
The economic area is part of the ongoing negotiations. There
have been various phases and, in recent years, close links with
the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) have given us an opportunity
to consider possible means of integration with other States. We
are looking further into those possibilities. Further steps have
been taken and we have to bring up to speed our – how shall I put
it? – special, privileged position with regard to the proposals
made by EFTA and other European bodies.
The PRESIDENT
Thank you,
Mr Renzi. That brings to an end the questions to their Excellencies.
On behalf of the Assembly, I thank them most warmly for their address
and for the answers given to questions.
