FM Szijjártó: Cooperation between EU and Andorra in Hungary’s interest

Hungary has a vested interest in closer cooperation between the European Union and the Principality of Andorra, as it would contribute to a stronger EU while strengthening Hungary’s position, Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó said in Andorra on Wednesday, after talks with his counterpart, Imma Tor Faus.

Szijjártó told a joint press conference that Hungary was taking over the EU’s rotating presidency in July, at a time when the EU was steadily losing competitiveness. An antidote to that is to strengthen the bloc’s ties with other countries, Andorra among them, he added.

“We want the association agreement between the EU and Andorra to come into force as soon as possible,” he said, noting that the talks leading to the agreement had been started during Hungary’s presidency in 2011. “We would like the EP … to ratify the agreement in the second half of the year.”

Closer cooperation with Andorra, a state which has based its competitiveness on low taxes, among other factors, would boost Hungary’s position at a time when “there is an aggressive attempt in Europe” to harmonise taxes, thereby raising rates, Szijjártó said. “We are fighting together against that. Neither Hungary nor Andorra are willing to give up their sovereign right to determine their own tax system,” he said.

Another important issue is the protection of national minorities, he said. “Hungary and Andorra … are proud of their traditions and identity, and we have cooperated closely to protect national minorities in international organisations before.” The foreign ministers have agreed to keep up that cooperation, he added.

To boost economic ties, Hungary and Andorra are planning to sign an investment protection agreement in the near future, he said.

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