Andorra's Espot Signs Tax Pact with Austria, Tours Vienna and Bratislava

Andorra's head of government, Xavier Espot, signed a double taxation avoidance agreement with Austria on Thursday during a visit to Vienna, marking a key step to enhance legal certainty and economic exchanges between the two countries.

Espot met with Austrian Federal Chancellor Christian Stocker at the Federal Chancellery, where the leaders highlighted strong bilateral ties, particularly in winter tourism and mountain economies. Espot emphasised Andorra's aim to foster transparency aligned with international standards and create opportunities for broader economic cooperation. The pair also discussed progress on Andorra's association agreement with the European Union, as well as the principality's commitment to multilateralism.

Earlier that day, Espot held working sessions with Vienna city officials, including councillor Omar Al-Rawi and urban planning coordinator Kurt Hofstetter. The talks focused on housing policies, with Espot outlining Andorra's priorities—such as expanding public rental stock, supporting first-time buyers, mobilising empty properties, curbing speculation, and limiting tourist-use homes. Vienna representatives detailed their model, where a large share of residents live in municipal or subsidised housing, sharing insights on long-term urban planning, tenant protections, public investment, and rent controls.

Espot also visited the OSCE Secretariat, meeting director Hatun Demirer in his first such trip as head of government. The occasion marked 30 years since Andorra joined the organisation. He reaffirmed Andorra's dedication to OSCE values, stressing multilateralism, institutional stability, and shared security amid global challenges. Priorities included youth, gender equality, environment, and climate change.

The trip continued in Bratislava for the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations with Slovakia. Espot met Prime Minister Robert Fico, noting advanced negotiations on a double taxation agreement and potential collaboration in innovation and economic development. He updated Slovak counterparts on the EU association process and shared views on European forums.

On Friday, Espot conferred with President Peter Pellegrini at the Presidential Palace, discussing the taxation pact, EU ties, and global issues. He delivered a lecture at Comenius University titled "Andorra in Europe and the World: Challenges and Opportunities," covering institutional evolution since the 1993 Constitution, economic diversification, multilateralism, sustainability, and human rights. The visit ended with a working lunch with the National Council's Foreign Affairs Committee, addressing EU affairs, energy security, disinformation, and democratic cohesion. Espot was accompanied by ambassador Jaume Serra.