Brussels has been called out over accepting Covid vaccination certificates issued by the tiny microstate of San Marino which is outside the European Union. The vast majority of San Marino residents who have been vaccinated received the Russian-made Sputnik V vaccine, a drug that has not yet been approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA). Despite being jabbed with Sputnik V those living in the enclave are able to travel freely with their certificates equal to the EU's Digital Covid pass, a policy which has now come under fire.

       International relations expert Dario Rivolta told RT: "It is not a matter of bureaucracy.

       "I am afraid that mainly in Brussels it is a matter of politics.

       "Because you see Italy can not approve if the EMA has not approved it.

       "But the fact is that the EMA is delaying its approval [of Sputnik V] for reasons that nobody nows."

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       He continued: "In Italy, nobody knows why EMA is not approving the Sputnik V.

       "Italian people who went to San Marino for obtaining Sputnick already months ago are not authorized now to receive the green pass.

       "It is really ridiculous because it is known that Sputnik is at least as valid as the other vaccine."

       "At least if not more."

       In a statement released on Wednesday, San Marino's Institute for Social Security said: "We have had [the certificates] for several weeks now.

       "Europe has had it since yesterday.

       "The signature of [EU Commissioner] Ursula Von der Leyen is dated July 30.

       "Thus they recognised that the technical characteristics of our certificates correspond to European ones."

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       They continued: "This decision is of a technical nature.

       "It does not imply recognition of Sputnik V.

       "Tt is about a digital signature," the statement added.

       "Our green pass with a QR code is now readable in European apps."