Croatia Backs Andorra's EU Association Bid with Lessons from Accession

Gordan Grlić, Croatia's ambassador to Andorra, has pledged firm support for Andorra's efforts to secure an association agreement with the European Union, emphasising mutual benefits for closer integration into the single market.

In an interview with *Diari d'Andorra*, Grlić highlighted the strong bilateral ties built on shared European values, rule of law, culture, and history. He noted that Croatia appreciates Andorra's unique position and stands ready to back its EU aspirations—whether through association or full membership—without compromising national specificities like identity and language.

Croatia, which joined the EU 12 years ago, offers lessons from its own accession. Grlić acknowledged initial scepticism in sectors like fishing, but stressed that benefits have far outweighed concerns. These include enhanced rule of law, mobility, investments, security, access to EU funds, Schengen membership, and euro adoption. "If we compare Croatia 20 years ago to today, it was unimaginable we'd progress so far," he said, adding that even small nations now participate equally in EU decision-making, with Croatian as an official language.

The ambassador pointed to a memorandum of understanding signed three years ago as a broad framework for cooperation in education, culture, science, youth, sport, foreign policy, diplomacy, and public administration. Andorra has expressed interest in partnering with Croatia's Diplomatic Academy, while tourism—vital to both nations—presents further opportunities. Andorra welcomes around 10 million visitors annually, while Croatia hosted 20 million tourists last year with nearly 110 million overnight stays, creating scope for exchanging best practices.

A recent mobility agreement will foster direct contacts, particularly among youth, without fixed quotas. "We've created a favourable framework; now it depends on people to make use of it," Grlić said, predicting a positive impact on people-to-people connectivity.

On the global stage, Grlić praised the EU's unity against Russia's aggression in Ukraine, rooted in norms and rights rather than military might. Future challenges include bolstering security, energy independence, renewables, and European defence, alongside strong transatlantic and NATO ties. Croatia, he affirmed, will unequivocally support Andorra's EU path alongside all member states.