Albares contrasts the Spain–Andorra border with those that have become areas of confrontation
The Spanish minister presents the Pyrenean region as an example of prosperity while Ceuta calls for help to cope with migration pressures
Spain’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, José Manuel Albares, said on Monday in Andorra that borders should be places of encounter, cooperation and shared prosperity, against an international backdrop of division and conflict.
He made the remarks during a press conference on his official visit to the Principality, where he met with Head of Government Xavier Espot and Foreign Minister Imma Tor.
Albares contrasted relations between Spain and Andorra with the situation in other territories.
“Today, when we are unfortunately seeing borders in so many parts of the world become places of confrontation, even war and division, it is essential to demonstrate, as we do between Spain and Andorra, that borders are also places of encounter, cooperation and shared prosperity,” he said.
Spain’s top diplomat placed particular emphasis on Pyrenean cooperation: “Our Pyrenean region is the best example we have of all this.”
Ceuta: a border crisis that remains unresolved
His remarks come as Spain continues to deal with the consequences of more than 70,000 people entering Ceuta from Morocco in late July.
The president of the autonomous city, Juan Jesús Vivas, has called for urgent assistance from the European Union, describing the situation as unsustainable.
According to the Financial Times, between 5,000 and 10,000 migrants remained in the city, placing particularly heavy pressure on healthcare services.
The crisis has also sparked debate over Morocco’s responsibility for the events. Pedro Sánchez said on 3 September that there was no concrete evidence that Rabat had organised the mass crossing, despite indications in a police report that Moroccan officers had stood by without intervening. The Moroccan government has denied the allegations.
Mobility, immigration and relations with the EU
The agenda for the visit to Andorra includes mobility, cross-border cooperation, immigration and the association agreement with the European Union. These issues bring together day-to-day relations between the two countries and the Principality’s efforts to build closer ties with the EU.
In this excerpt from the press conference, Albares did not announce any specific measures in these areas. He concluded his remarks by thanking Tor for the welcome he had received in Andorra, saying “moltes gràcies” — “thank you very much” — in Catalan.
