Andorra advances border talks and abortion reform

Andorran Head of Government Xavier Espot has stated that technical negotiations are ongoing with France and Spain regarding a border management agreement. While Espot acknowledged that “important details” remain to be finalized, he emphasized that these are bureaucratic adaptations rather than fundamental disagreements. Key pending issues include the process for criminal record filtering, collaboration with France, and establishing efficient timelines for security assessments of new non-EU residents to avoid disrupting business activities.

Espot also addressed the government's intention to pass legislation to decriminalize abortion before the current legislature ends. He noted that while the government maintains a dialogue with the Vatican, Andorra remains sovereign in its decision-making. Espot clarified that the proposed decriminalization aims to end the criminalization of women but would not allow for abortions to be performed within the country, thereby respecting the institutional boundaries involving the Episcopal Co-Prince.