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Andorran FM Gilbert Saboya Sunyé speaking at the Egmont Royal Institute for International Relations – Picture by Mission of Andorra.
By Jure Kralj.
Monday, 7 March 2016, Brussels: The Andorran Foreign Minister Gilbert Saboya Sunyé held an presentation at the Egmont Royal Institute for International Relations on the subject of the profound changes taking place in the principality during the past five years and its future prospects in light of the undertaken reforms and the negotiations concerning the Association Agreement with the European Union.
The minister described the current economic situation of the state vis-à-vis its past as a de facto tax haven. He explained how, after discovering that such an approach was not sustainable, their policy focused primarily on promoting the competitiveness of Andorra through a transversal and holistic approach he referred to as Imagineering. Amongst the data presented were the successes of the current administration, as well as an honest account of the challenges that lie ahead.
All in all, the attitude appeared more entrepreneurial than political. Indeed, as the minister stated, politics is often about calculated risk-taking and even more so in a country of the size of Andorra. The presented changes and developments seem to favour a sustainable fiscal, social and economic policy, with international collaboration with reputable institutions both in the field of technology as well as education being at the heart of it.
With regard to the Association Agreement with the EU, currently being negotiated by Andorra, he stressed the importance of an access to the single market and the freedom of circulation it implies, while stating non-equivocally that Andorra was not interested in joining the European Union.
The event ended on an inspirational note, with a quote by US politician Robert Kennedy, stating that “some men see things as they are and say why, I dream things that never were and say why not”.
The day after on Tuesday, 8 March 2016, Foreign Minister Gilbert Saboya Sunyé held a similar presentation about the Principality of Andorra and its current political and economic situation at the rather prestigious Collège d’Europe in Brugge.
For more information:
Mission of Andorra to the EU, Germany and the Benelux countries (HE Ambassador Maria Ubach Font): http://www.exteriors.ad/fr/ambassades-d-andorre/belgique
Egmont Royal Institute for International Relations: www.egmontinstitute.be
Collège d’Europe: www.coleurope.eu/fr/homepage
