Bulgaria Lifts Then Reinstates Veto on Andorra's EU Deal, Stalling Progress

Bulgaria lifted its veto on Andorra's EU association agreement early Tuesday before reinstating a study reservation that afternoon, stalling progress during an EFTA working group meeting and delaying advancement to the EU's Committee of Permanent Representatives (Coreper) by at least another week.

RTVA reported initial optimism in the morning, attributing the brief breakthrough to the resolution of a San Marino-related dispute that had previously halted negotiations and prompted several EU states to withhold support. Diplomatic efforts included a recent meeting between Andorra's ambassador to Spain, Eva Descarrega, and Bulgarian ambassador Todor Stoyanov, where the agreement featured prominently. This raised expectations for movement through the EU Council's preparatory bodies.

The EFTA session later that day fell short of the required unanimity. Bulgaria maintained its reservation, citing ongoing concerns over a failed acquisition attempt of Banca di San Marino by Bulgarian investment fund Starcom, which has left 15 million euros frozen in the Italian neighbour. Sources close to the dossier also linked the hold to Bulgaria's recent government transition, with Rumen Radev appointed prime minister nine days prior. San Marino's Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Luca Beccari, described the reservation as primarily "technical" and tied to Sofia's new executive settling in, though he noted that any political opposition connected to judicial proceedings there would be "concerning."

The impasse has strained San Marino's political scene. During a Great and General Council session, Rete party councillor Matteo Zeppa decried political and diplomatic pressures on the European integration process. Learning of the renewed block mid-debate, he accused parts of the political class of underestimating the situation's gravity, claimed a "war against San Marino," and pointed to Bulgaria alongside suggestions of private business interests, without providing evidence.

No date is scheduled for the next EFTA meeting, leaving the joint Andorra-San Marino agreement—involving gradual single market access while preserving fiscal and migration autonomy—in uncertainty. Andorra's government has emphasised that such delays align with standard EU timelines, though the hold threatens closure under Cyprus's upcoming presidency before June.

Earlier positive assessments included head of government Xavier Espot telling *Canarias7* that the deal would materialise in coming months amid evolving global dynamics. Andbank CEO Carlos Aso called it a boon for accessing a 450-million-person market, despite the institution's strong independent footing.