Forné says closer EU ties are essential to deliver new transport links in Andorra

Secretary of State for Energy Transition, Transport and Mobility David Forné says the Association Agreement with the European Union could open the door to funding cross-border projects such as the Tramvalira.

Speaking to La Veu Lliure, he said European funds would be needed to make projects that improve Andorra’s connections with neighbouring territories a reality.

Forné described the tram as another cross-border project and said the experience of POCTEFA offered a precedent for what new forms of cooperation could achieve.

The planned Andorra-Pyrenees European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation, which aims to facilitate access to European funding, could help advance projects of this kind.

“Without closer ties to Europe, we will never have it”

The secretary of state said the agreement allows Andorra to retain room to manoeuvre on issues such as immigration and taxation while working on shared projects with the Pyrenean territories. “The agreement respects our position on immigration and taxation; what more could we ask for?” he said.

Forné stressed that future links between Andorra and the Pyrenees are essential to improving the country’s connectivity. “What is certain is that we will never have it unless we take at least some steps towards Europe, and this agreement does that”, he said.

Studies for the Tramvalira have begun, but the project still needs funding to become a reality. The planned Andorra-Pyrenees cooperation grouping aims to broaden access to European funding beyond existing programmes such as POCTEFA and Sudoe.

Project has a ten-year horizon

The Government plans to present the Tramvalira sector plan before the end of the legislative term, although it expects the tram to enter service within ten years.

Andorra and Catalonia are already working on a feasibility study funded 45.12% by the European POCTEFA programme. It will develop the rail proposal and assess a possible extension to Alt Urgell.

The project is part of the 2026–2030 Work Plan, agreed last June by Xavier Espot and Salvador Illa, which also provides for the creation of the Andorra-Pyrenees European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation.