Espot wants cross-border cooperation in the Pyrenees to deliver more projects, jobs and opportunities

Head of Government Xavier Espot says cooperation between Andorra, Catalonia and Occitania should lead to projects, economic activity and opportunities for the public. 

He made the remarks at the closing of the Second Cross-Border Cooperation Days, attended by institutional and business representatives and experts from the three territories.

In fact, Espot said the Pyrenees share challenges including climate change adaptation, the energy transition, mobility, connectivity and economic diversification.

“Cross-border cooperation is not an abstract idea, but a practical tool for cohesion, resilience and prosperity”, he said.

Nearly €44 million to improve access routes to France

The head of government highlighted the results of the Andorra-Occitania Cross-Border Dialogue, which has supported initiatives in areas including security, mobility, energy, healthcare and culture over the past decade.

Between 2016 and 2026, Andorra and France mobilised nearly €44 million to improve the safety and reliability of access routes. Of that amount, €21 million went towards the H2 avalanche gallery.

Espot also cited the coordination following the landslide that affected the RN-20 last winter, cooperation to combat illicit tobacco trafficking, and work by FEDA and EDF to expand the Ospitalet hydroelectric plant. Another project is the 32-kilometre Estives cross-border transhumance trail, which the partners aim to establish as a hiking destination for summer 2027.

Regarding Catalonia, the head of government highlighted the 2026–2030 Work Plan, which aims to strengthen cooperation on infrastructure, healthcare, the environment, waste, security, language, culture and social affairs.

On mobility, he mentioned the development of Andorra–La Seu d’Urgell Airport and progress on studies for the proposed Tramvalira link between La Seu and Andorra.

Business forum aims to advance joint projects

The cooperation days will be followed by the first Cross-Border Business Forum, organised by the Andorran Business Confederation. It will run from Thursday to Friday at Prat del Roure in Escaldes-Engordany.

Espot said stronger involvement from businesses was needed alongside institutional cooperation to help them find partners, share talent and develop joint initiatives.

The Government also wants to establish a European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation for the Andorra-Pyrenees area. According to Espot, this structure could provide greater continuity for cooperation between Andorra, Catalonia and Occitania, make joint projects easier to manage and improve access to European programmes.

Catalan Minister for the European Union and Foreign Action Jaume Duch and Occitania Regional Council Vice-President Kamel Chibli also took part in the closing session and voiced their support for cooperation between the three territories.