Andorra partially recognizes Palestine: How have Spain and France influenced it?

BarcelonaWhen Andorra recognized the Palestinian state a few days ago, it did so partially and jointly with several countries, including France, within the framework of the United Nations Assembly held in New York. The head of government, Xavier Espot, explained to X that recognition would not have "full diplomatic effect" until Hamas released the hostages and handed over its weapons. It would also not have to take effect until a Palestinian government was created outside the Islamist group. In her address to the UN, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Imma Tor, stressed that, in this way, Andorra remained "faithful" to "more than seven centuries of peace" and to the country's "active neutrality" in the face of international conflicts. What does this mean? What is the country's position on Palestine? We try to unravel it.

What does the Andorran government think about genocide?

In an interview with ARA, Andorra's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Imma Tor, described the situation in Gaza as "a true humanitarian catastrophe." She avoided the term. genocide "because it is a word that in international law has a particular meaning." While A UN commission concluded that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza.Tor recalls that "at the moment there is no official United Nations position stating that it is a genocide." Regarding the situation in Israeli settlements in the West Bank, the executive branch does not offer a specific assessment. Tor, however, does note, when specifically asked about this issue, that "Israeli expansion once again violates international law."

Why is the recognition of Palestine coming now?

Andorra recognized Palestine in a joint move with nine other countries: the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Portugal, Belgium, France, Luxembourg, San Marino, and Malta. However, this recognition is symbolic, with no practical effect to date. This recognition has not yet arrived because "as a microstate, Andorra tries to tiptoe around many international debates," explains Yvan Lara, a political analysis researcher at the Andorra Research and Innovation Institute (AR+I). "Andorra normally waits until it is inevitable to take action, and that moment has arrived now," Lara explains.

What role has France played?

Minister Tor explains to ARA that France contacted the executive branch to explore recognition. Spain also did so more than a year ago, when the State recognized Palestine. At the time, the Andorran government considered that "the situation at that time did not yet require it," says Tor. Now, however, they have joined that recognition because one of its conditions was met, "which was not to do so in isolation." However, the recognition promoted by Pedro Sánchez was also coordinated with other countries.

Therefore, can we think of pressure or direct influence from France? Why now and not in May 2024? Researcher Lara dismisses talk of pressure and attributes it to "an unwritten law in Andorran foreign policy, which is to look toward France and Spain." Although French President Emmanuel Macron is also co-prince of Andorra—along with the Bishop of Urgell—Xavier Pons, professor of international law at the UB, points out that it is the Council of Andorra that governs, and Macron and the bishop only have representative functions. However, "obviously they have an indirect influence," explains Pons, who recalls controversies in this regard, such as the fact that abortion is illegal in the country.

The dynamic, Lara portrays, "is not so much that the co-princes are going to dictate what should be done, but rather the other way around," that is, "Andorrans try not to antagonize them or neighboring states." If Spain and France have the same position, "Andorra clearly also adopts it," and if they have different positions, "the usual thing is for Andorra to abstain."

What is "active neutrality"?

In this sense, there is a concept that the Andorran government reiterated when explaining its decision on Palestine: recognition maintained the country's traditional "active neutrality." According to Lara, it is based precisely on looking to France and Spain in international affairs: "Andorra does not interfere in international politics," he explains. In fact, beyond "some scuffles between shepherds that ended with some deaths, Andorra has never experienced a war and has never been effectively invaded," explains AR+I historian Albert Vilaró.

Will it promote measures against Israel?

This neutrality, which is even mentioned in the national anthem, suggests that the country will not take further steps toward isolating Israel internationally until a new, united movement emerges. In fact, the minister herself asserts that the government hasn't considered any, especially considering the size of the country: "What we could do wouldn't be very significant either," Tor concludes.