Andorra has convened representatives from Spain and France to outline cooperation strategies for the coming years, with a focus on improving connectivity as a primary objective. A proposed border point at the airport aims to alleviate bottlenecks in regional relations and strengthen links with the heliport.
During the discussions, officials highlighted existing deficiencies in transport links with the Ariège region, which are considerably more complex than those with Catalonia. The Secretary of State for Energy Transition, Transport and Mobility provided insights into various proposals, including some historical ideas like a railway connection, although these are large-scale projects expected to take considerable time to realise.
The proposed vertiport at the airport is intended to facilitate transport routes between the three territories. The government plans to engage with business sectors to present the project and gather input on its potential functionality for Andorran enterprises.
Noëlia Souque, the ambassador for Cross-Border Cooperation, emphasised the robust state of the cross-border area, which encompasses three French provinces (Haute-Garonne, Ariège, and Pyrénées-Orientales) and two Catalan provinces (Lleida and Girona). "This is a very dynamic space. In 2023, we recorded over 137 million euros in consolidated GDP across this region, involving Occitania, Andorra, and Catalonia, with 271,000 businesses and more than 1.5 million workers. This demonstrates that the area is growing, and we will continue to promote its development together," she stated.
The conference, taking place from 21 to 23 October, is set against the backdrop of the forthcoming European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation (EGTC) between Andorra, Catalonia, and Occitania. Foreign Minister Imma Tor noted that four trilateral meetings have already been held to define the key areas of work, and a founding agreement is currently being drafted.
The project is structured around four main pillars: mobility, economy, heritage, and sustainable development. The conference also features the inaugural Cross-Border Business Forum, which will bring together companies from all three regions.
