MOSCOW, January 14 (Sputnik) – The time has come for small states like Monaco to take steps toward European integration and consider EU association, Monaco's minister of state, Michel Roger, said Wednesday.
"My country wants to continue negotiations with the European Union. Not to join, but since we are members of the eurozone, we believe time has come to consider the possibility of association for us and other small states on account of history, geography and our development," Roger said.
Speaking at the annual Gaidar Economic Forum in Moscow, Roger added that association with the European Union presents an "exciting challenge," despite the complexity of the issue.
Despite not being an EU member, the principality, like Andorra, San Marino and Vatican City, has monetary agreements with the Union and uses the euro as its currency.