Andorran Expert Warns Tech Neutrality Essential for Sovereignty

Professor Alan Ward i Koeck, an informatics engineer and doctor in Information and Knowledge Society, warned on Saturday that technological neutrality is vital to safeguard Andorra's sovereignty. He stressed the dangers of depending on a limited number of major providers, which could restrict the Principality's authority over systems powering public administration, companies, and core services.

Ward delivered his message during the 39th Andorran Day at the Catalan Summer University, themed around Andorran neutrality. In his talk titled La neutralitat tecnològica d’un país, he pointed out that small nations like Andorra face heightened risks from tech firms boasting greater financial and personnel resources. Many critical technologies here are built and operated by overseas companies, with key decisions made abroad, curbing local oversight.

To mitigate this, Ward urged avoiding ties to single technologies or suppliers for essential services, despite potential cost increases. Diversifying options would provide backups if a provider halts operations, alters terms, or suffers failures.

The event also featured former heads of government Josep Roig and Jaume Bartumeu, who promoted an "active, responsible, and solidarity-based" form of neutrality. In their session, La neutralitat andorrana al segle XXI: sobirania, responsabilitat, solidaritat i vocació europea, they portrayed it as "sovereign," "responsible," "solidarity-driven," and "European." Andorra, they argued, can steer clear of military engagements yet actively resist aggressions, support international law, and deliver humanitarian aid. They added that global partnerships, such as the EU association agreement, bolster rather than diminish a small state's decision-making power.

University of Andorra researcher Alexandra Monné presented a framework for evaluating neutrality in small countries across juridico-political, diplomatic-multilateral, and mediation areas. A preliminary review of Andorra showed strengths in multilateral engagement, cooperation, preventive diplomacy, and peace promotion. The tool supports comparisons, without endorsing any specific neutrality claim.

Journalist Albert Roig questioned pure neutrality in Mirades de neutralitat, arguing that all choices—even staying silent—imply a stance. He viewed it as risking apathy toward world events and analyzed Andorra's positions in light of its European ties and collaboration imperatives.

Historians Climent Miró and Pau González delved into Andorra's neutrality roots using 14th-century National Archive records, including a 1347 judicial survey and a 1465 appeal.