Andorra's Xavier Espot Pushes Digital Protection at European Summit in Yerevan

Andorra's head of government, Xavier Espot, presented the country's digital protection initiatives at the 8th European Political Community summit in Yerevan, Armenia. The event gathered around 40 European leaders and officials from international organisations under the theme "Building the future: unity and stability in Europe".

Espot attended alongside State Secretary for EU Relations Landry Riba and Andorra's ambassador to the EU, Vicenç Mateu. Co-chaired by European Council President António Costa and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, the summit covered democratic resilience, connectivity, economic and energy security, and regional challenges. Leaders agreed on coordinated steps to bolster Europe's cohesion amid ongoing geopolitical shifts.

During a panel on "Democratic Resilience and Hybrid Threats", chaired by French President and Andorra co-prince Emmanuel Macron and Moldovan President Maia Sandu, Espot addressed responses to hybrid threats, foreign information interference, and covert political influence. He stated that hybrid threats, cyberattacks, and disinformation represent a persistent reality demanding collective and firm action.

Espot outlined Andorra's efforts, including cooperation with Spain's National Cybersecurity Institute (INCIBE) to prevent and detect digital threats. He highlighted recent steps such as joining the international INHOPE network, launching a confidential reporting channel for online child abuse content, and advancing a bill before the General Council to restrict minors' access to social media through time limits, content filters, and age verification systems.

Participants from France, Moldova, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Spain, the Council of Europe secretary general, the European Parliament president, and Andorra stressed multilevel approaches, including stricter digital platform rules, enhanced government detection capabilities, and support for free, plural media environments. They called for greater European cooperation, information sharing, and cybersecurity investments to safeguard critical infrastructure and democratic bodies.

Espot also joined a meeting of the European Coalition Against Drugs, led by France and Italy, which Andorra signed onto last autumn in Copenhagen. The group focuses on raising awareness of drug risks and combating illicit trafficking.

He held bilateral talks with Liechtenstein Prime Minister Brigitte Haas, Monaco's Prince Albert, Romanian Francophonie secretary general candidate Daclan Cioloș, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, and Macron, among others.

The summit marked the first participation by a non-European nation, with Canada's prime minister as a guest. The next meeting is set for this autumn in Dublin.