Luxembourg FM Warns Andorra: Reject EU Deal Like Brexit, No Second Chance

Luxembourg's Foreign Minister Xavier Bettel urged Andorra to approve its EU association agreement during an official visit, warning that rejection could lead to irreversible consequences similar to Brexit and unlikely future terms.

At a joint press conference with Andorran Foreign Minister Imma Tor, Bettel praised the deal secured by Andorran head of government Xavier Espot and Tor after 15 years of negotiations. He stressed that Andorra's team had pushed hard, securing recognition of the Principat's unique status. "What Xavier and Imma have negotiated with Europe won't be served up on a platter again," he said. "I tell you honestly: believing you can renegotiate and get more could leave you with nothing." Bettel expressed scepticism about matching current conditions in any future talks, noting the process had been far from easy.

He encouraged Andorrans to decide freely ahead of the referendum, rejecting any lecturing tone. Bettel dismissed narratives portraying the EU as distant or alien—"ovnis or extraterrestres"—and criticised those blaming Brussels for every issue. "Europe is me, the other colleagues, MEPs, commissioners, and ministers," he said, highlighting overlooked benefits like cross-border study access, travel health coverage, and roaming-free mobile use. Drawing on Luxembourg's experience as a small founding member, he added that he would never have achieved as much alone.

Bettel explicitly referenced Brexit: those who leave often want to return but face tougher entry conditions, entering "through the small door, not the main one." He called for informed reflection on the agreement's opportunities.

On housing pressures, raised in meetings with Espot and Tor, Bettel rejected claims that EU ties would exacerbate issues or bring queues at borders. "There are no 20,000 refugees waiting behind the French and Spanish borders to enter your homes," he said. He attributed challenges to Andorra's economic appeal, limited space, and quality-of-life priorities, insisting neither Andorra la Vella nor Luxembourg wants a "Manhattan."

Sharing Luxembourg's approaches, Bettel noted similarities with Andorran measures and potential inspirations. He highlighted delays in project approvals—three to ten years—and urged collaboration among government, communes, and developers. Luxembourg reserves land for building since it cannot expropriate everything, he explained, while mocking hypocrisy: people want buses and neighbours everywhere except near their own homes.

"No miraculous solutions exist," Bettel warned. "Anyone promising to fix housing in six months is just bla-bla-bla." He advocated creative policies, like state aid for down payments to help young people afford homes in their country.

Tor described bilateral ties as solid, rooted in friendship and trust after over 30 years. Bettel echoed this, framing cooperation among small states as a strength, not weakness: "We're not co-princes or neighbours, but friends—you can always count on us."