France pushes EU to classify Andorra association agreement as 'mixed'
An indicative EFTA discussion on 18 November showed most EU states leaning toward treating the EU‑Andorra association agreement as a mixed treaty, a.
Key Points
- EFTA’s 18 Nov discussion included a non‑binding vote that leaned toward a mixed agreement (9 for, 3 against, others undecided).
- France is pressing for a swift decision; Paris argues agreements with commercial and political elements fall under shared competences.
- A mixed classification requires EP vote, unanimous Council approval and ratification by all member states under national rules.
- Spain backs Andorra but seeks to avoid direct confrontation; the debate recalls post‑Brexit Gibraltar treaty arrangements.
No need to keep guessing: it will take a major change for the association agreement with the EU not to be classified as mixed. After France’s official stance and a forceful letter from Emmanuel Macron, the EU machinery has begun to move in a direction that is viewed as contrary to Andorra’s interests.
At the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) meeting on 18 November, the Danish presidency of the Council inserted a document titled “Discussion on the legal nature; discussion on the draft declaration,” which included a non-binding indicative vote by countries on the agreement with Andorra. The vote clearly leaned toward a mixed agreement.
Nine countries indicated support for the mixed option; among them were France, Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Cyprus, Malta and Hungary. The non-mixed option received support from three member states: Spain, Portugal and the Czech Republic. Germany and Italy said they had no instructions and would need to consult their governments. Several other states did not express a position.
France has pushed for a swift decision and asked EU representatives and foreign ministers to resolve the matter without delay. Paris, together with Poland and Italy on related dossiers, argues that agreements combining commercial measures with political and cooperation elements fall within shared competences and therefore should be treated as mixed. As a mixed agreement, ratification would require a vote in the European Parliament, unanimous approval by the Council and subsequent ratification by member states in accordance with their constitutional requirements, which can include national and regional parliamentary approvals and gives each member a veto.
Spain has expressed support for Andorra but, according to sources, does not intend to provoke a direct confrontation with the Élysée. The debate recalls the post‑Brexit approach to Gibraltar, where the UK‑EU relationship was negotiated via a specific treaty intended not to be classed as mixed to simplify ratification and avoid a local referendum.
The EFTA meeting’s agenda item concerning Andorra related to draft Council decisions on the signature, provisional application and conclusion of the association agreement between the EU and, respectively, the Principality of Andorra and the Republic of San Marino, and specifically to discussion of the agreements’ legal nature and a draft declaration.
EFTA, established in 1960 as an alternative framework to promote free trade among European countries, comprises Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. Three of its members participate in the European Economic Area (EEA); Switzerland maintains its own bilateral agreements with the EU.
Original Sources
This article was aggregated from the following Catalan-language sources: