Andorra's Espot Signs 2026-2030 Cooperation Plan with Catalonia, Advances Mobility with Spain

Andorra's head of government, Xavier Espot, met Spanish and Catalan officials in Barcelona on Friday to advance cross-border mobility, infrastructure, and cooperation agreements.

In a morning session at the Palau de la Generalitat, Espot and Catalan President Salvador Illa signed a new four-year work plan for 2026-2030. The agreement builds on existing partnerships in health, infrastructure, environment, waste management, and transfrontier issues, while adding interior affairs, public security, language, culture, and social matters. Both leaders highlighted the success of current working groups in delivering tangible benefits for residents. The plan introduces regular meeting schedules and enhanced technical teams to ensure continuity.

Mobility priorities include expanding operating hours at Andorra-La Seu d'Urgell airport and exploring its designation as an international border control point. Progress was also reported on a feasibility study for a tram line linking La Seu d'Urgell to Andorra. Health cooperation features renewal of emergency medical transport protocols and shared facilities, with added focus on urgent care access for Alt Urgell residents in Andorran hospitals. Other initiatives encompass an European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation for the Andorra-Pyrenees area and development of the Organyà Special Economic Zone, where Espot said the two sides would craft a joint fiscal proposal "balanced between Andorran and Spanish rates, competitive yet adding value for Spain and Catalonia." Espot invited Illa to October's second Cross-Border Cooperation Days in Andorra, including a trans-Pyrenean business forum. The Catalan delegation included EU and External Action councillor Jaume Duch, government delegate to Andorra Anna Vives, and inter-Pyrenean relations commissioner Joan Ganyet; Andorra was represented by Foreign Affairs Minister Imma Tor and ambassadors Eva Descarrega and Noelia Souque.

Later, Espot discussed mobility and migration with Spain's government delegate in Catalonia, Carlos Prieto. Prieto committed to collaborating with Spain's Directorate General for Migration on a "fast track" for residence, work, and study permits for Andorrans—especially students—under the trilateral Andorra-Spain-France pact granting EU-equivalent treatment. Espot called the guarantees "very advanced, if not firm," and the matter "on track for resolution." On aviation, Espot sought non-systematic checks for helicopter flights under the EU's entry-exit system to prevent their classification as Schengen external border crossings, proposing controls at Andorra's heliport or La Seu d'Urgell airport instead of Girona or Reus. Prieto responded positively, requesting a detailed Andorran proposal. The talks also covered waste transfer delays, with Andorra urging simpler procedures, and progress toward an EU association agreement on borders.

These steps follow a parliamentary forum on Monday, where Spanish MPs pledged to push for more lanes at the Runer River crossing and eased internship rules for Andorran students. Andorra relies on such pacts given its non-EU, non-Schengen status.