The European microstates or European ministates are a set of very small sovereign states in Europe. In modern contexts the term is typically used to refer to the six smallest states in Europe by area: Andorra, Liechtenstein, Malta, Monaco, San Marino, and Vatican City. Four of these states are monarchies, three principalities—Andorra, Liechtenstein, and Monaco—and one papacy, Vatican City. These states trace their status back to the first millennium or the early second millennium except for Liechtenstein, created in the 17th century.
The 2003 Games of the Small States of Europe, or the Xth Games of the Small States of Europe, were held in Valletta, Malta from June 2 to June 7, 2003. Valletta previously hosted the games in 1993. Malta was not due to host the Games again until 2009, but a strong bid helped them to gain the games six years early. Administration of the games was done jointly by the Maltese Ministry of Education and the Malta Olympic Committee. The games were declared open by President Guido de Marco on June 2.
The 2009 Games of the Small States of Europe, also known as the XIIIth Games of the Small States of Europe were held in June 2009 among the participant nations in the Games of the Small States of Europe. The opening ceremonies were on June 1, and the closing ceremonies on June 6. The games were held in Cyprus, twenty years after the first Games held there in 1989. Malta was scheduled for 2009 in the rotation, but were selected to host the games early in 2003. The organizing committee estimates the cost at 1.5 million euros for all events.
The 14th Games of the Small States of Europe, also known as the XIVth Games of the Small States of Europe were held between 30 May – 4 June 2011 in multiple municipalities in Liechtenstein. The Games featured competition by the 9 members of the GSSE in nine sports, with three of the sports featuring seven disciplines. Events were located in nine different municipalities in the country.
The 2007 Games of the Small States of Europe, or the XIIth Games of the Small States of Europe, were held in Monaco from 4 June to 9 June 2007. The Games administration was done jointly by the Monegasque government and Monegasque Olympic Committee. Monaco has previously hosted the games in 1987. Prince Albert II officially opened the Games.
The Athletic Association of Small States of Europe (AASSE) is a transnational organization representing the athletic interests of smaller European nations. It was created following a proposal by the Cyprus, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Luxembourg delegations at the Congress of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) in Barcelona in 1989.
The 2013 Games of the Small States of Europe, also known as the XV Games of the Small States of Europe, were held in Luxembourg City and surrounding areas. The slogan, as well as the logo, was "Are you ready for the Games?" The opening ceremony was held at the Stade Josy Barthel on 27 May; the closing ceremony was held at the Neumünster Abbey on 1 June.
The 2015 Games of the Small States of Europe, also known as the XVI Games of the Small States of Europe, were held in Iceland. The slogan was "Natural Power". Icelandic singer Paul Oscar sang during the opening ceremony.
Montenegro has recognised same-sex unions since 15 July 2021. In July 2020, the Parliament of Montenegro passed a bill, by 42 votes to 5, to recognise life partnerships for same-sex couples offering several, but not all, of the rights and benefits of marriage. The bill was signed into law on 3 July 2020 by President Milo Đukanović and took effect on 15 July 2021.
The European Games is a continental multi-sport event in the Olympic tradition contested by athletes from European nations and several transcontinental countries. The Games were envisioned and are governed by the European Olympic Committees (EOC), which announced their launch at its 41st General Assembly in Rome, on 8 December 2012.
Rugby union in Montenegro is a minor but growing sport. The game has only recently been developed in the country since its independence in 2006. The governing body is the Montenegrin Rugby Union which was accepted as a member of Rugby Europe at the 2014 convention held in Split, Croatia. It is not yet affiliated with World Rugby but is applying for membership.
Montenegro competed at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from 5 to 21 August 2016. This was the nation's third consecutive appearance at the Summer Olympics since it gained independence from Serbia in 2006.
Basketball at the 1985 Games of the Small States of Europe was held in 1985 in San Marino.
The 2017 Games of the Small States of Europe, also known as the XVII Games of the Small States of Europe, took place in San Marino from 29 May to 3 June 2017.
The 2019 Games of the Small States of Europe, also known as the XVIII Games of the Small States of Europe, took place in Budva, Montenegro, from 27 May to 1 June 2019.
Basketball at the Games of the Small States of Europe has been contested at all the editions of the Games of the Small States of Europe except at the ones hosted in Liechtenstein.
The 2021 Games of the Small States of Europe, also formerly known as the XIX Games of the Small States of Europe, was a cancelled sporting event, previously scheduled to take place in Andorra la Vella, the capital city of Andorra. Andorra previously held the 1991 and the 2005 installments of the Games. The 2021 games were cancelled due to the rescheduling of the 2020 Summer Olympics in July 2021 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, with Andorra looking to instead host the 2025 games.
Athletics is one of the sports at the biennial Games of the Small States of Europe. Athletics competitions have been held at every edition of the games since 1985 and is one of the eight core sports of the games.
The 2023 Games of the Small States of Europe, also known as the XIX Games of the Small States of Europe or informally Malta 2023 took place in Valletta, Malta from 28 May to 3 June 2023.
