Spain advocates a more integrated border with Andorra

Spain’s ambassador to Andorra, Carles Pérez-Desoy, has called for a more integrated border and closer cooperation between the two countries in areas including the economy, education, healthcare, the environment, civil protection and mobility.

The diplomat made the remarks at the Spanish National Day celebration, where he also congratulated the Andorran Government on signing the Association Agreement with the European Union.

According to RTVA, Pérez-Desoy described the border as a space for sharing services and making life easier for the public.

“If we are working to make the border more porous and more welcoming for citizens, and to make services more efficient and shared, all of this needs to be properly organised”, he said.

Airport among areas for cooperation

The ambassador cited the possibility of opening a border checkpoint at the airport as one example. He said this would need to be accompanied by “orderly” migration management and backed progress towards a sustainable migration policy.

Pérez-Desoy also highlighted cooperation in education, healthcare, the economy, environmental protection and civil protection. He did not set out specific measures or a timetable for these proposals.

Support for Andorra’s closer ties with the EU

In his speech, the ambassador encouraged Andorra to complete its European integration process. He described closer ties with the EU as “the natural evolution of what is already a reality” and highlighted the links between the two countries.

La Veu Lliure had previously reported concern over the delayed institutional celebration of Spain’s National Day, which is usually held around 12 October. The event was eventually scheduled for 20 October, one day after the EU agreement was signed.

The diplomat also described Catalan as a cultural heritage and a historic link between Andorra and Spain. He highlighted Andorra’s commitment to the Ibero-American community, one of the topics on the agenda at the summit scheduled to take place in Madrid on 4 and 5 November.