France and Andorra

Political relations

Our bilateral ties are close because of the institution of the co-princes of Andorra and geographical proximity. Several projects demonstrate our exemplary bilateral and cross-border cooperation. The signing of the agreement on improving the viability of the roads RN 20, 230 and 22 between Tarascon-sur-Ariège and the border with Andorra, in Paris on 22 March 2017 by the two Prime Ministers, illustrated the unique ties between Andorra and France.

Visits

To France: the French President, Mr Emmanuel Macron, received Monsignor Vives, Bishop of Urgell and other Co-Prince of Andorra, in Paris on 16 October 2017. The previous meeting between co-princes dated back to 2003. On 12 December 2016, the two Prime Ministers met on the sidelines of the inauguration of the Ax-les-Thermes bypass, ahead of the Andorran Head of Government’s visit to Paris on 22 March 2017. On 7 June 2018, the Andorran Head of Government and Culture and Tourism Ministers celebrated the 25th anniversary of our bilateral diplomatic relations in Paris, with the French Minister for European Affairs.

To Andorra: on 12 and 13 June 2014, the French President visited Andorra in his capacity as Co-Prince. The symbolism of the visit to the country’s seven parishes was noted. Manuel Valls visited Andorra on 19 June 2015, in the first official visit to the country by a French Prime Minister. The visit by Gérald Darmanin, Minister for Government Action and Public Accounts, on 16 March 2018 gave new impetus to bilateral cooperation in the fight against fraud and contraband tobacco. A declaration of intent on the ecological transition was signed during Minister of State Sébastien Lecornu’s visit on 6 July 2018.

Economic relations

Spain is Andorra’s leading supplier, providing 59% of the country’s imports in 2016. France comes second and has seen its market share slump by almost 10 points since 2006, providing 15% of Andorra’s imports in 2016. Spain and France are Andorra’s main customers, receiving 53% and 15% respectively of its exports in 2016.

Cross-border relations

Thanks to Andorra’s accession to the treaty between France and Spain on decentralized cross-border cooperation on 16 February 2010, cross-border relations have been given new momentum on both sides.

Following a decade of negotiations between France and Andorra, agreements on the delimitation of the border and joint management of water were signed in Paris on 6 March 2012, ending the only remaining dispute between the two countries. These agreements took effect on 1 September 2015.

Two further bilateral agreements were signed on 17 March 2014. The first was on technical cooperation and mutual assistance in civil protection, while the second established cross-border police and customs cooperation. They took effect on 1 May 2018 and 1 April 2018 respectively. The signature of a bilateral letter of intent during Gérald Darmanin’s visit to Andorra on 16 March 2018 strengthened coordination between the two country’s services in the fight against cross-border fraud and contraband tobacco.

^{Updated: 25 September 2018}