Following engagements at the Holy See during the Vatican Jubilee Year, the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on San Marino, accompanied by Consul Bragagni and representatives of the Honorary Consulate of the Republic of San Marino in London, continued its mission to the Republic of San Marino on 23–24 October 2025. The visit celebrated the deep historical friendship and growing diplomatic engagement between San Marino and the United Kingdom.
The visit was a successful one, and its agenda was very intensive. Below are some of its highlights.
Cultural Diplomacy: Celebrating San Marino Through British Art
On Thursday, 23 October, the delegation attended an art exhibition at the Museo Pinacoteca San Francesco titled “San Marino Through the Eyes of a Young British Painter.” The exhibit showcased works by Toby Rampton, a young British artist who, at the invitation and arrangements of the Honorary Consulate in London, spent six months in San Marino capturing its landscapes, architecture, and state ceremonies.
The exhibition was inaugurated by Their Excellencies the Captains Regent, joint Heads of State of the Republic, and attended by members of the San Marino Government, diplomatic corps and representatives of several institutions. The event served as a symbol of cultural dialogue, uniting artistic expression with diplomatic friendship.
High-Level Institutional Engagements
On Friday, 24 October, the delegation was received at the Palazzo Pubblico for a Private Audience with Their Excellencies, the Captains Regent, Matteo Rossi and Lorenzo Bugli. The Captains Regent welcomed each member of the delegation individually, expressing respect for the United Kingdom and a shared belief in the potential for closer cooperation in the post-Brexit era. The discussion reflected a spirit of collaboration, focusing on the role of parliamentary diplomacy in advancing the values of freedom, democracy, and peace.
The delegation then met with His Excellency Luca Beccari, Secretary of State for Foreign and Political Affairs, for wide-ranging discussions on bilateral relations, economic cooperation, and foreign policy alignment. Secretary Beccari reaffirmed San Marino’s sovereignty and independent foreign policy, while both sides noted the strength of the partnership founded on democratic values and mutual respect.
Andrew Rosindell MP, Chairman of the APPG on San Marino, highlighted areas of mutual interest, including free trade, common legal traditions, and collaboration within multilateral forums. The delegation acknowledged San Marino’s steadfast neutrality and admired its preservation of liberty and independence throughout history.
Discussions also explored opportunities for enhanced trade and investment, with both sides expressing optimism following the 2023 Double Taxation Agreement. Topics included financial services, innovation, and cybersecurity cooperation, with the potential for UK expertise to support San Marino in digital resilience.
Parliamentary Dialogue and Economic Cooperation
The delegation held a meeting with the Sammarinese Foreign Affairs Committee, composed of members from across San Marino’s political spectrum. Discussions focused on parliamentary diplomacy, democratic governance, and post-Brexit relations with the European Union. Both parties praised the role of the Consul Bragagni and the APPG in maintaining an active forum for dialogue in Westminster.
The visit concluded with a meeting at the Associazione Nazionale Industria San Marino (ANIS), where economic representatives discussed trade and industrial cooperation. While the United Kingdom currently represents a modest share of San Marino’s exports, business leaders expressed enthusiasm for expanding their presence in the British market.
Challenges such as post-Brexit customs procedures and transport costs were acknowledged, alongside optimism regarding the Double Taxation Agreement and the potential for UK Export Finance (UKEF) support in key infrastructure projects. Both sides also discussed enhancing collaboration in telecommunications, aviation, hospitality, and fashion, signalling a shared commitment to deepen economic engagement.
“This visit to San Marino stands as a testament to our shared values — independence, democracy, and cooperation,” said Professor Maurizio Bragagni Esq OBE, Honorary Consul of San Marino in London. “Through cultural exchange and parliamentary dialogue, we continue to build bridges of friendship that honour San Marino’s heritage while looking confidently to the future.”
The Honorary Consulate of the Republic of San Marino in London reaffirms its dedication to advancing the Republic’s diplomatic, cultural, and economic relations with the United Kingdom — strengthening the partnership between two nations united by mutual respect, democratic ideals, and a shared vision for lasting peace and prosperity.
The visit to San Marino concluded a series of successful engagements that began in the Vatican during the Jubilee Year 2025. Together, these encounters represented a significant chapter in the ongoing relationship between the world’s oldest republic and one of the world’s oldest constitutional monarchies, a relationship grounded in mutual trust, cultural exchange, and the shared pursuit of human dignity and understanding.
