Small European states convened in San Marino on Friday for a high-level roundtable focused on sport as a strategic lever for economic and social development.
The event, held at the Grand Hotel, brought together ministers, diplomats, and leaders of continental sports organizations to discuss how international sporting events can strengthen economies, enhance welfare systems, and boost the international reputation of smaller nations.
Montenegro's Sports Minister Zoran Jojić attended the gathering, as did Bulgarian MEP and European People's Party delegation head Andrey Kovatchev. Representatives from Luxembourg—Alexandre Husting and Yves Picard—participated alongside Monaco's Ambassador Anne Eastwood. Italy's CONI national counselor Vittorio Andrea Vaccaro was also present. Albania's Deputy Sports Minister Endrit Hoxha attended, returning to San Marino a year after a previous visit.
The roundtable was organized by San Marino's State Secretariat for Sport as part of the country's designation as European Sports Community 2026. The event concluded with broad institutional consensus among participants.
The first session focused on economics, diplomacy, and governance. San Marino's State Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Luca Beccari, opened proceedings by highlighting sport's effectiveness as a public diplomacy instrument and as a consolidating factor for the international repositioning of small nations.
Discussions centered on dynamics of economic growth, strengthening of welfare systems, and the reputational impact of international sporting events in smaller-scale realities. Participants examined how hosting or participating in major sporting competitions can generate economic benefits and enhance a nation's international profile.
Hoxha commented on his return to San Marino, stating that discussing sport and its values was a pleasure and that he welcomed the opportunity to share Albania's experience in the field.