Andorra

In Andorra, the institutional legacy of the Co-Principality has created special links between our country and Andorra. Indeed since the late sixteenth century, the French head of state has been, with the Bishop of Urgell, Co-Prince of Andorra.

Independently of this institution, diplomatic relations were established with the Principality when it adopted, in May 1993, a constitution and became an independent, sovereign, and internationally recognized state. France is represented in Andorra by Mr. Jean-Pierre Bercot (June 2010). Andorra was represented in France by Mr. Julian Vila Coma (January 2010), who left office in September 2011 and was replaced by Maria Ubach Font. Bilateral relations between France and Andorra are marked by significant conventional activity: teaching, administrative cooperation, social security, common customs office with “juxtaposed inspections.” Two agreements regulating Andorran nationals’ residence in France and that of French citizens in Andorra were signed on December 4th, 2000. France’s place in Andorra has nevertheless declined significantly over the past twenty years, gradually being supplanted by Spain. The reasons include local geography and infrastructure deficiencies on the French side making Spain more accessible, but also the presence of 30,000 Spaniards in Andorra (compared to 25,000 Andorrans often of Spanish origin and fewer than 5,000 French) the community of language and culture between Andorra and Catalonia, the appeal of Barcelona, and the reluctance of French exporters to invest in Andorra (trade via subsidiaries or relays in Spain). The Andorran authorities are fully aware of the need for rebalancing, including a real fear of absorption by Spain, as evidenced by the regular appointment of French officials to positions of responsibility.

The most recent high-level meetings between French authorities and Andorra have been as follows:

 February 6th, 2006: meeting in Paris between the Minister responsible for European Affairs and the Andorra’s Foreign Minister, Mr. Minoves.
 March 21st, 2006: meeting in Paris between the Prime Minister and Andorra’s Head of Government, Mr. Pintat.
 May 22nd, 2006: meeting in Paris between the French Ecology Minister and the Andorran Agriculture and Natural Heritage Minister, Mr. Montella.
 October 24th-25th, 2006: visit to Paris by the Andorran President of the General Council (Parliament) and meeting with the Presidents of the National Assembly and Senate.
 September 21st, 2009: meeting in Andorra between the Andorra Head of Government and the Budget, Public Accounts, Public Service, and Reform of the State Minister, Mr. Eric Woerth.
 June 21st, 2010: meeting between the Minister and Mr. Espot, Foreign Affairs and Institutional Relations Minister for the Principality of Andorra.
 July 29th, 2010: State visit to Andorra by the President of the Republic and meeting with the President of the Government, Mr. Bartumeu.

The National Assembly’s France-Andorra friendship group is chaired by Mr. François Calvet, Deputy for the Pyrénées Orientales, and has 23 members, while the Senate’s France-Andorra friendship group is chaired by Jean-Paul Alduy, Senator for the Pyrénées Orientales, and has 24 members

Updated on 01.09.11.