EFTA Group Visits Andorra Amid EU Association Deal Delays from Bulgaria

An EFTA working group will visit Andorra on 17, 18 and 19 June to hold meetings with economic representatives, foreign policy bodies, parliamentary groups and the Pacte d'Estat.

The trip comes as the association agreement between Andorra, San Marino and the European Union nears final approval, with backing from all 27 EU member states. Brussels aims to secure ratification by the Council of the EU during the current Cypriot presidency, which ends on 30 June. Should deadlines slip beyond Andorra's control, the issue would carry over to EFTA discussions under the upcoming Irish presidency starting in July.

The EFTA—European Free Trade Association—group, comprising representatives from all member states reviewing the text, maintains weekly meetings where the agreement features prominently. Although the Andorra visit falls outside direct monitoring of the deal, it includes a session with the Pacte d'Estat, which tracks the country's European integration.

Progress has stalled at EFTA due to objections from Bulgaria, the only remaining holdout after Spain dropped its amendment reserve over Gibraltar trade concerns and Germany resolved technical issues. Bulgaria cites its recent government transition following Rumen Radev's election as prime minister on Friday after his party's absolute majority win on 19 April. Authorities have not clarified whether this fully explains the delay.

Earlier setbacks shifted key dates: the Coreper II vote, originally set for 6 May, moved to 20 May, with the Council meeting now on 22 May. This followed an EFTA working group failing to achieve unanimity on Tuesday, reportedly due to a Bulgarian reserve. The procedural shift removes the dossier from fast-track "point A" approval, potentially reopening political debate among members.

Government spokesperson Guillem Casal stated on Wednesday that the executive remains unconcerned. "We have no record of any member state reserve disrupting the schedule, neither from Spain nor Bulgaria," he said, while noting it cannot be certified whether formal objections exist. He stressed the process stays in its final text-stabilisation phase without alteration.

San Marino Foreign Secretary Luca Beccari highlighted the need for unanimous consensus amid complex negotiations. He expressed caution over possible links to Bulgaria's banking dispute with San Marino involving the Starcom fund's failed purchase of Banca di San Marino, where €15 million remains held in Italian courts, but declined to connect it directly.