Andorra PM: EU Deal Signature on Oct 19 Has No Practical Effects

Andorran Prime Minister Xavier Espot has emphasised that European leaders view the EU association agreement as a strong, asymmetric deal that protects Andorra's interests, while struggling to grasp local reservations about it.

Addressing local media by video from New York at the 81st UN General Assembly, Espot said other countries see it as "a good agreement, very asymmetric and very well negotiated from the perspective of Andorra's rights and interests." He noted their full support, with commitments to secure national parliamentary ratifications. Espot explained that they recognise domestic hesitations as part of a wider European trend where some political groups, with dogmatic or extreme views, blame the EU or European integration for major problems.

He reiterated that the agreement's signature on 19 October carries no practical effects in Andorra, unlike potential provisional application in San Marino. The process involves European Parliament ratification, a domestic referendum, and possible Consell General approval to enable interim measures. Espot rejected suggestions that the signature marks an irreversible step.

Espot criticised opposition parties such as Concòrdia and Andorra Endavant for positions that European counterparts find hard to understand. He highlighted how negotiating the deal has already elevated Andorra's standing, making it more valued and respected internationally, even prior to ratification.

During the UN visit, Espot advanced double taxation avoidance agreements with nations including Ireland, Greece, and Bulgaria—thanking Bulgaria for unblocking the association deal at Coreper level. He addressed Greece's outlier status in listing Andorra as non-cooperative, which blocks a tax treaty. New diplomatic ties formed with Guyana, Sierra Leone, Zambia, and Eritrea.

Espot previewed a summit of small European states—Andorra, Cyprus, Monaco, San Marino, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Montenegro, and Iceland—to coordinate on issues like climate change, rising international tensions, declining trust in global bodies, and threats to multilateralism. The group plans a joint declaration, "Resilience of Europe's Small States Facing Global Challenges," for UN presentation to boost visibility. He also shared an event with Andorran Co-Prince Emmanuel Macron and Spanish President Pedro Sánchez.