Andorra is preparing for possible changes in its environment. This week’s news was the possible vignette for foreign vehicles, but another initiative that could have consequences is the collection of traffic fines in Spain and France. Until now, these countries could not collect all fines from Andorran vehicles because the Principality did not participate in the data exchange system on registration. However, this could change with a hypothetical Association Agreement with the EU.
According to the head of Government, Xavier Espot, in an interview with Catalunya Ràdio, the Agreement „foresees“ this data exchange when collecting fines. Therefore, fines for Andorran vehicles in the European Union could be fully collected. In fact, the Catalan Traffic Service (SCT) estimates that Andorran fines amount to up to 4 million euros unpaid, and only 2% has been collected. At the same time, community vehicles that commit infractions in Andorra would also receive the same treatment.
However, Espot warns that they are already negotiating bilateral agreements to foresee this exchange in the „medium term“ with France and Spain.
The vignette for „excursionists“
In another context, the trial balloon of the Andorran Government with the proposal of the vignette was the subject of debate both inside and outside the country. The lack of specificity of Espot’s idea created concern among some sectors, especially among people in border towns. In this sense, the opposition leader, Cerni Escalé, asked to take into account the Pyrenean environment in defining the proposal. „We must protect the territory and health. Perhaps with a tax on vehicles. Let’s make sure that if so, it is done without damaging the ties that unite us with our neighbors, whether they work in Andorra or not,“ affirmed the leader of Concòrdia.
In an interview with Catalunya Ràdio, the head of Government wanted to give more details of an initiative still in its early stages and subject to debate. Espot warned that they were „giving time until the end of the year to see if it is an appropriate measure“ and that it would not affect all foreign vehicles. As he emphasizes, it would be the „excursionists“ or those who come to spend a day in Andorra who would pay the vignette, while border workers or tourists who stay overnight would be exempt. As the proposal is managed, we will see if it ultimately incorporates this Pyrenean vision or ends up posing a problem with the country’s environment.