Two Republics, one frontier
The geographic position of an enclave entirely surrounded by Italian territory between Emilia-Romagna and Marche has made a privileged relationship with the Italian Republic inevitable. Diplomatic relations are regulated by agreements covering fields ranging from the movement of persons to economic cooperation, from trademark protection to social-security institutions, including fiscal and banking conventions.
From the 1970s to today
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1970s | Participation in the works of the Non-Aligned Countries within the CSCE |
| 1988 | Accession to the Council of Europe |
| 1990 | Six-monthly presidency of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe |
| 1991 | Start of accession to the International Monetary Fund |
| 1992 | Entry into the United Nations Organisation (2 March) |
| 2000 | Accession to the World Bank; signing of the Monetary Convention with the European Community |
| 2001 | Entry into force of the Monetary Convention: adoption of the Euro as official currency |
| 2002 | Ratification of the Cooperation and Customs Union Agreement with the EEC by all Member States |
| 2006-2007 | Second six-monthly presidency of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe |
From the competition to the Embassy
Entry into the Sammarinese diplomatic career is by competition issued by the State Congress. The path begins as Embassy Secretary, continues after three years with the rank of Counsellor, reaches after five years that of Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary, up to the qualification of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary after at least ten years of service. The appointment of ambassadors and consuls, including non-resident ones, is political and rests with the State Congress on the recommendation of the Secretariat of Foreign Affairs.
The network of consular offices abroad mirrors the geography of nineteenth-century Sammarinese emigration: especially present in France, Argentina and the United States. The story of these communities is held at the Museum of the Emigrant.