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CONFIDENTIAL
CO-PRINCIPALITY OF ANDORRA
Sovereignty
1. Andorra is a co-principality whose constitution dates from an agreement (Acte de Paréage) reached in 1278 and confirmed in 1288 between the Comtes de Foix and the Bishop of Urgel. They both agreed henceforth to hold the seigneurie en paréage, that is both would have an equal title to the inhabitants' allegiance and each alternatively would receive their tribute (which is still paid). The Bishops of Urgel have succeeded each other without interruption as co-princes of Andorra, their civil powers being derived from the Paréages of 1278 and 1288. The title of the Comtes de Foix devolved on the Kings of Navarre, then on the Kings of France, and eventually on the President of the French Republic. In 1793 the French National Convention refused the tribute from Andorra, considering it an anachronistic feudal relic, but in 1806 the Andorrans, fearing absorption into Spain, persuaded Napoleon to resume the title of French co-prince. (Incidentally, Napoleon's claim of renewal was never formally recognised by the Bishop of Urgel).
2. The two co-princes exercise their powers by the intermediary of two permanent delegates the Vicar General of the Bishop of Urgel and the Préfet of Pyrénées-Orientales (based at Perpignon). In addition they each have permanent representatives resident in Angorra, the Viguier de France and the Viguier Episcopal, who carry out administrative and judiciary functions. The French Viguier is traditionally a representative of the Quai D'Orsay. The episcopal Viguier, who is appointed personally by the Bishop of Urgel, is usually a Spaniard, though the post could be held by an Andorran. The Viguiers are responsible inter alia for law and order, external affairs, residence permits, expulsions, and most matters relating to non-Andorrans, who constitute the majority of the population (26,500 compared with 8,500 Andorrans).
3. We have no evidence of any constitutional procedure in the event of disagreement between the Spanish and the French. In principle all important decisions regarding Andorra should be taken on agreement between the two co-princes, and it appears traditional for one co-prince to inform the other of any intended action. Over the years, however, Andorrans have come to regard the almost constant disagreement between the two co-princes as a guarantee of their own continued national identity and as a protection against absorption by France or Spain. As a French lawyer, Professor Ourliac once wrote "C'est le désaccord quasi-institutionelle des co-princes qui a donné naissance au fait national andorran".
Administration
4.
The adminstration of Andorra is a complex matter. Until recently it had remained largely unchanged from the mediaeval period. Attempts to introduce reform in the early part of this century resulted in only a limited franchise; each of the then six
CONFIDENTIAL