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A Special International Report Prepared byThe Washington Times Advertising Department
Published on May 28, 1999
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Advertisers (1) Associated Banks
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Andorran-US Relations: common hopes, common ties Message of His Excellency Mr. Juli Minoves-Triquell, Ambassador extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Principality of Andorra to the United States, Canada and the United Nations
Freedom was a founding principle for both the US and Andorra: back in 1278 Andorra was born as a country out of a treaty that established its neutrality and provided Andorrans with the basis for seven centuries of freedom and peace. Similarly, the USŐs independence inaugurated for its people an era of liberty and prosperity that has been integral for the furthering of freedom everywhere in the world. The respective standings of our countries in the international community complement each other. Andorra , as a small state, is an example of the strength of sound dialogue and diplomacy in the development of liberty, while the US, a much larger country, demonstrates the potential of strength and power at the service of freedom and democracy. Both countries, as peace-loving democracies, can walk side by side in mutual respect when history calls for the defense of liberty, tolerance and human rights anywhere. Their increasing dialog is visible at the UN, where the collaboration between our respective missions is strong. Recently Andorrra, with the help of its National Center for Informatics, computerized the archives of its regional group: the WEOG (Western European and Other States Group). The US, supporting the initiative, sent a special delegate from Washington when Andorra's Head of Government, Marc Forne', made his presentation to the High Level Group on Informatics of the UN a few moths ago. Andorra's interest in being at the forefront of new technological applications could bring our respective countries even closer together in the near future, when more links develop between Andorran and US businesspeople in the fields of information technology or other economic innovations. The candidacy of Andorra, a country with a traditionally open economy, for membership in the World Trade Organization (WTO) raises the potential for an increase in business with the US. With its accession to the WTO, Andorra will complete the first phase of its adaptation to world economic and political standards -begun in 1993 with the approval by the Andorran people of a new constitution, and the entry in to the UN. Moving from a foreign policy based on centuries-old bilateral relations with France and Spain to an active presence in the world's most important multilateral forum, provoked reflection on the way a small state like Andorra could contribute in a meaningful way to international politics. Andorra's neutrality, which preserved the country from seven centuries of armed conflicts amongst its neighbors, has evolved towards "active" neutrality -with Andorra becoming a voice in UN debates on the side of peace, justice and human rights, as mandated by our historical heritage and by the commitments of our constitution. Debates on human rights around the world, the death penalty, the creation of an International Criminal Court, the possibilities for social development in the developing world, the place of youth in society, women's issues and the environment are all matters in which the participation of our lawyers, economists and other experts has been substantial. UN peacekeeping activities have also been at the forefront of our involvement with the organization, both substantially and through funding. In 1998, each Andorran contributed $5.08 to the budget of the UN -one of the highest per capita contributions of any member- showing our commitment to the goals of international peace and security. The next few years are expected to show a sharp increase in contacts between Americans and Andorrans. As the cordial political relationship between the countries gains ground, relations between the peoples will flourish. Academic exchanges such as that with the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), along with the growth of tourism in both directions, will bring more people together. I am honored to be both witness and participant, as Ambassador, at this remarkable moment in history for our two countries, and I invite you all to discover Andorra, a beautiful and peaceful Principality in the heart of the Pyrenees. |
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Table of Contents (1) A young country with an ancient history |
In February 1995 I presented my credentials to President Clinton as the first Ambassador of Andorra
to the United States. Two years later, Ambassador Edward Romero of New Mexico was accredited as the
first US Ambassador to Andorra. The establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries,
and the following exchange of Ambassadors, marked a development in the interaction of two sovereign
states very different in size, population and thinking but strikingly similar in the political
philosophy.