Cyprus FM Kombos Signs Education Pact with Andorra, Backs EU Bid

Cyprus Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos concluded a two-day official visit to Andorra on Thursday, signing a memorandum of understanding with Head of Government Xavier Espot on cooperation in education, youth, and sports. The pact expands a general protocol agreed in Nicosia in April 2024, enabling exchanges of teaching practices, youth organization initiatives, and sports federation ties stemming from the Small States Games. Officials also discussed extending collaboration to culture—focusing on shared intangible heritage such as dry-stone construction—along with trade and economics.

At a joint press conference with Foreign Minister Imma Tor, Kombos reaffirmed Cyprus's firm support for Andorra's EU association agreement. He called it a mature dossier with strong prospects, kept prominent on the agenda during Cyprus's EU Council presidency despite international crises and lingering lack of consensus among member states, primarily Bulgaria's veto over private issues with San Marino. Cyprus advanced both political momentum and technical work across key meetings, creating a constructive environment around the agreement's substance, he said. Recent efforts included Kombos's visit to San Marino weeks prior. While consensus remains elusive, he urged patience in multi-party talks, stressing ample scope for resolution through political commitment and aligned technical details. "These matters cannot be taken personally," Kombos remarked. Cyprus will continue backing the process in Brussels and bilaterally, expressing confidence in progress under Ireland's presidency. "We have done everything in our power," he stated.

Tor thanked Cyprus for honoring its commitment to prioritize the file, highlighting recent diplomacy such as Minister Ramon Lladós's talks in Varna, Bulgaria, and her own participation in Dubrovnik, Croatia, where both Bulgaria and San Marino indicated active efforts toward a quick solution. She praised the robust bilateral ties marking 31 years of diplomatic relations.

The visit opened Wednesday with Kombos's arrival and a working meeting at the government administrative building alongside Tor and Secretary of State for EU Relations Landry Ribá, reviewing sectoral opportunities. Thursday morning featured a reception at Casa de la Vall by Syndic General Carles Ensenyat and Subsyndic General Sandra Codina. Kombos toured the historic parliamentary headquarters and new hemicycle, signed the Golden Book of the Consell General, and explored enhanced parliamentary links, including coordinated international delegations. He left impressed by Andorra's fusion of tradition and progress, likening it to Cyprus as a small EU member reaping significant benefits.