Bartumeu Slams Andorra-EU Pact Secrecy, Urges Broader Inclusion

Former Andorran head of government Jaume Bartumeu has described the State Pact's communication on the EU association agreement as a failure, marked by secrecy, excessive technicality, and promotional parish sessions that have damaged public trust.

At a Tuesday press conference at Socialdemocràcia i Progrés (SDP) headquarters with party president Josep Roig, Bartumeu called for broadening the pact to include full voice and vote for economic and social actors, such as the CEA employers' federation, EFA family business association, Chamber of Commerce, USdA farmers' union, and public sector unions. These groups have received only partial updates through subsidiary channels, he noted. Bartumeu first proposed this at the pact's 4 February meeting, where members agreed to review it before the 25 February session, encountering no opposition.

He advocated following San Marino's example, where Foreign Minister Luca Beccari leads a mixed commission—established nine months before its March 2023 negotiations ended—that features political, economic, and social representatives, major unions, and non-voting parliamentarians. San Marino also issued informational pamphlets to residents, students, workers, and businesses detailing the agreement's everyday effects, positive and negative.

Bartumeu attributed two years of public friction, including disputes over the agreement's mixed legal status, to poor outreach. He cited an unused thematic briefing for citizens and missteps like pausing public defenses of the mixed character after French President Emmanuel Macron's letter, only for State Secretary Landry Riba to publicly contradict that pause, creating a "lamentable spectacle" that undermined credibility.

On Wednesday, Government Spokesperson Guillem Casal countered that the government has held targeted, issue-specific meetings with these groups, providing regular negotiation updates. Several have voiced support, he said. While not formally in the pact, Casal indicated openness to adding voices or boosting communication if needed, without pausing ongoing efforts. USdA general secretary Gabriel Ubach, however, told reporters that union communication "has not been the best" and criticised the initial lack of inclusion, while extending a hand if the proposal advances.

In Brussels, the European Parliament approved an interim report on the Andorra-San Marino agreement on Wednesday with strong support—552 votes in favour, 24 against, and 75 abstentions—following endorsement by the Foreign Affairs Committee. Rapporteur Zeljana Zovko highlighted it as the EU's broadest pact with third countries, covering extensive cooperation beyond the single market while respecting small states' specificities. The report urged resuming talks with Monaco on the same text. Brussels is close to a joint position affirming the mixed nature, potentially leading to a Council resolution before Easter and signatures by Andorran and San Marino leaders shortly after—a process Andorra launched in 2010.

Bartumeu tied his openness push to recent ARI polling showing majority opposition but significant undecideds, insisting clear explanations of benefits outweighing risks could sway views. He stressed that any referendum on Council of General matters like ratification is constitutionally consultative only, rendering outcomes politically—not legally—binding.