Foreign ministers of Cyprus and Andorra discuss ties with EU — Cyprus Mail
Cyprus Foreign Minister Konstantinos Kombos and Andorra’s Foreign Minister Imma Tor Faus discussed the development of Andorra’s relations with the European Union on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York, United States. As Cyprus Mail reports, Tor Faus thanked Kombos for the support of the Cypriot presidency of the Council of the EU during the approval of the association agreement.
Approval of the agreement
The Council of the EU approved the agreement in July, two and a half years after the negotiations were completed. During Cyprus’s six-month presidency of the Council of the EU, Kombos sought to overcome differences between EU member states and the countries with which association agreements were planned.
The EU intended to sign agreements with Andorra and San Marino simultaneously. At the same time, negotiations with San Marino were delayed because of disagreements with Bulgaria. After they were resolved, the Council of the EU approved the arrangements with both countries just over two weeks after the end of Cyprus’s presidency.
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Access to the internal market
According to the Council of the EU, the agreement provides for Andorra and San Marino to participate in a homogeneous enlarged internal market under equal conditions of competition and in compliance with the rules in force in the European Union. It also regulates financial services: the countries will gradually gain access to this segment of the internal market, subject to a successful assessment of the soundness of their regulatory and supervisory systems. EU bodies will also have a role in monitoring these systems.
The agreement is intended to create a framework for dialogue and cooperation in research and development, education, social policy, the environment, consumer rights protection, culture and regional cooperation. Its formal signing with both countries is expected on October 19.
Kombos and Tor Faus also discussed strengthening bilateral relations between Cyprus and Andorra, deepening cooperation in areas of common interest, engagement in regional and multilateral formats, and cooperation among Europe’s small states.
