Vice-president of the European Commission and political leader of the negotiation of the Association Agreement with Andorra, Maroš Šefčovič ha, has traveled to the principality to see first-hand the country's territory and institutions, as well as to hold direct exchanges on the project In agreement with governmental, institutional, political, economic and social actors.
Both the cap of the Government of Andorra, Xavier Espot, and the vice president have been confident that the Agreement that will be achieved will be attractive both for Andorra and for the European Union. In this sense, Šefčovič celebrated the positive predisposition of the country: "I especially appreciate that the Andorran delegation has understood so correctly that a solution must be found that is effectively advantageous for Andorra, respecting its specificities, and that can also be understood by the European Comission".
Espot, for its part, has stressed that the Agreement will generate opportunities for Andorra in several areas, and that it will also promote the economic diversification of the country. The possible achievement of the agreement “is the key to the process of homologation, transparency and openness that began ten years ago”. In this sense, he added: "The culmination of environmental, social and economic policies cannot be understood if it is not through the approval of the Agreement".
The visit has made it possible to reinforce the clear will of the European Commission to advance in the negotiation in order to agree on a text by the end of next year and accelerate the negotiation rounds to the highest level to address the more political aspects of the understanding.
According to Espot, the Association Agreement is one of the country's "greatest challenges" and the current state of the negotiation, as well as the aspects already negotiated, inspire "hope regarding the two premises of the negotiation: the principles of the single market and Andorran peculiarities”. In this sense, Espot has stated that "we have no doubt that participating in the single market will be the reason for the country's economic prosperity".
Finally, Šefčovič has highlighted that it is convenient to promote and communicate more effectively the terms of the agreement to the citizens.
