Albares supports Andorra's rapprochement with the European Union during his trip to the country

PRESS RELEASE 141

Albares supports Andorra's rapprochement with the European Union during his trip to the country

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• The Minister met with the Head of Government and his Andorran counterpart, with whom he signed three agreements.

• ​The trip takes place a month and a half before the Ibero-American Summit, in whose preparatory work Andorra has actively participated.​

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The Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Union a​nd Cooperation, José Manuel Albares, visited the Principality of Andorra this Monday, 14 September, at an excellent time for bilateral relations. The Minister was received by the Head of Government of the Principality, Xavier Espot Zamora. He also met with his Andorran counterpart, Imma Tor Faus, with whom he signed three bilateral agreements.

​​During his meeting with the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Andorra, the Minister conveyed Spain's support for Andorra's rapprochement with the European Union. In the words of the Minister: "A more integrated Andorra in Europe will be a more prosperous Andorra, and that prosperity will have positive effects not only for the Principality, but also for the neighbouring regions of the Alt Pirineu".

During the meeting, the main issues on the bilateral and international agenda were also discussed, including matters of cross-border cooperation between the two countries.

Following the meeting, the Minister held a joint press conference with his counterpart, in which he referred to the main issues addressed during the meeting, highlighting economic measures and the improvement of infrastructures and communications, as well as initiatives in favour of the populations on both sides, in both the healthcare and educational fields.

The Minister also visited the emblematic Radio Andorra building, where he delivered a speech and held a meeting with authorities and relevant figures from civil society, as well as with economic actors.

Catalan in Europe

During his speech, Albares, who also delivered a few words in Catalan, pointed out that "Andorra is the only country in the world where Catalan is the sole official language". In this regard, the Minister underlined the relevance of linguistic diversity in Europe and stressed the importance of making progress in the recognition of the official status of Catalan, together with Basque and Galician, within the European Union.

Bilateral agreements

During his visit, the Minister signed three agreements with his Andorran counterpart: an agreement on the sharing of confiscated instruments and proceeds of crime, which establishes criteria for the sharing and prioritises the compensation of victims; and two other agreements focused on the cultural and educational fields.

The agreement between the Instituto Cervantes and the Department of Cultural Promotion of the Government of the Principality of Andorra will allow Andorra to make use of the network of Instituto Cervantes centres for cultural promotion activities. The third agreement, on diplomatic and consular training and cooperation between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Andorra and the Diplomatic School, will reinforce cooperation in the field of professional development and continuous training of diplomatic and consular staff.

Visit to La Seu d'Urgell

The Minister concluded his trip by travelling to La Seu d'Urgell to meet with the Episcopal Co-Prince, the Bishop of Urgell, Monsignor Josep Lluis Serrano i Pentinat, to whom he conveyed his appreciation for Andorra's participation at the highest level in the upcoming Ibero-American Summit, which will be held in Madrid on 4 and 5 November.

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