Andorra Blocks Provisional EU Association Agreement Over Domestic Law

The Andorran government has reiterated that provisional application of the association agreement with the European Union remains impossible under current domestic law, while acknowledging a remote pathway requiring full ratification.

In a parliamentary response to General Council member Noemí Amador of Andorra Endavant, Secretary of State for Relations with the European Union Landry Riba stated that the executive notified EU institutions in March 2025 of this legal barrier. He emphasised that the agreement does not meet internal conditions for provisional implementation after signature, which the government could not undertake unilaterally.

Riba outlined that the sole alternative would involve completing the full ratification process: securing a two-thirds majority in the General Council and holding a prior binding popular consultation, which the government commits to organising. This would also necessitate amending the qualified law governing state activity on treaties. He clarified that the referendum could not focus solely on provisional application but must address the agreement as a whole.

Article 112 of the agreement text specifies that provisional application occurs only if, after one party deposits the relevant instrument, no other party objects. Riba described any such scenario as distant, reiterating in general terms: "The response is negative."

The EU-side process remains dynamic and open, with the Council recently issuing a new amendment that Andorra and San Marino accepted. Final closure requires European Parliament consent, as noted in the Council's draft decision. Riba stressed avoiding a citizen consultation without a signed text or clear EU institutional positions, to prevent public uncertainty: "The government has the responsibility to avoid" such risks and provide maximum certainty.

No firm referendum date is possible amid ongoing EU proceedings, as advancing one would invite speculation. The government maintains its roadmap: EU institutional approval first, followed by the vote.

On related queries, Riba noted the agreement preserves gradual market access, allowing Andorra to delay full entry for up to 15 years to safeguard financial specificity. San Marino's parallel process does not dictate Andorra's timeline, though some EU Council stages overlap politically. The financial services protocol adjustments, requested by member states, drew no objections after review by Andorran finance bodies and sectors. Andorra is not listed among OECD jurisdictions for new crypto regulations as of 17 June 2025.