Sarkozy's speech to the General Council co-prince on the occasion of his visit to Andorra
Posted by Manuel Casal | Section News
Lord Ombudsman General, Mr Prime Minister, ladies and gentlemen, ladies and gentlemen and elected members of the Government; lords, ladies.
Do not be afraid, no doubt, is a great joy for me to have been, and is also a great honor to be first in Andorra today, and to write to your Parliament in this House of the Valley, which is the heart of democracy in Andorra. For over 700 years, your assembly reflects the political unity of Andorra, you've managed to preserve over the differences and make progress through the story.
I tell you that I am very proud to be your Copríncep Principality, with His Excellency the Bishop of Urgell. I am aware of the symbolic importance of this responsibility, who can refute that are important symbols in Andorra? - And I am of the historical dimension, you and I will sign a historic tradition.
There is no identity without memory and respect for history. Well you know, here.
I can express my feeling it you remembered you, sir trustee generally I taken my role very seriously Copríncep.
It's true. I am well.
I respect my functions, all functions. It is a matter of respect and consideration, not folklore, the Principality is a folk institution, is a historical entity, is a democracy, are its inhabitants, people who deeply loves his country. I knew it would be a Copríncep take seriously their responsibility, just me and I have taken it too seriously, on the other hand, which he could reproach the Copríncep? that would have taken too much to heart its responsibility, in a universe that is ours, where people do not take responsibilities seriously enough? I would like comprenguéssiu things. I respect deeply the division of political responsibilities and functions, which have received support from the Andorran when did you adopt the Constitution. I already have enough to do with French politics, especially not to hand at politics in Andorra, I noticed that it is absolutely easier than the French. But ... but I want to see Andorra fully assume the responsibilities entailed by membership in the international community.
Today, Andorra should open new chapters of its history, to build your future, your future in a world filled with change. Be proud of your roots, proud of your history, but see the world around you, is in full mutation, and when your older neighbors are in crisis, Andorra can not ignore the consequences of this crisis. The crisis showed the need for all states, to build together a new model of capitalism, more just, more solid.
In this equilibrium, the transparency of financial activities, and the fight against tax havens, are crucial.
Transparency is not contrary to the Andorran identity, and I welcome the progress that has Andorra on tax cooperation.
You have already signed 17 agreements for the exchange of information, especially with France, the reform of legislation on the abolition of banking secrecy is an absolutely critical step, and our duty is to submit it. The progress we have achieved are quite considerable.
Surely there are still efforts to perform for you, for us also. Who can say who can claim that efforts are yet to be done? And France is prepared to negotiate with you a bilateral agreement to avoid double taxation, double taxation is not the goal we seek, at all. We bilateral tax agreements with you.
In initiating these tax reforms have demonstrated your determination to register Andorra century. Moreover, we know well: you can build anything serious about fraud on the opacity of the speculative bubble on the disparity between reality and virtuality? All who love Andorra, as is the case, well aware that this may work for some time, but a daily reality t'enxampa and in this case is the people who pay. The choice you made was a brave choice, and it will support with all our might, with all our might, but you have to prepare the conditions for a future for the Principality, a solid future.
Tax competition is one thing, tax competition can not tell you no reproaches, and tax fraud is something else. I came to tell you, from the depths of my heart deeply respect your values, all values that are yours, there is work, because this is your magnificent landscape and has been hard to build a dignified life.
I see from this corner very positive signs for the evolution of collaboration with the European Union, I know you are thinking, and France will side fully. Nobody can deny that Andorra falls fully within Europe, by geography, by history, by culture, by its population. The wonderful churches in Andorra are eloquent testimony, mixed with grace, modest, but so full of force, illustrating the beauty of Romanesque art was the first to combine all the European influences.
Numerous roads will be open to open new relations with the Member States of the European Union, remarkably the possibility of signing an association agreement. From my point of view, without going beyond my symbolic functions. France needs the other. And Europe needs France.
I have fought my whole policy for the European idea, because throughout my political life I have had the conviction that the world as it is today, isolation and loneliness are a considerable risk. And this is the isolation and loneliness that we can lose our identity.
If I say that the Andorran people (as I said the English people) there is more risk for their identity to remain isolated from major world affairs that register in the world, as it is. I think that the recurrence of the Principality in the international openness are the conditions of his future, but the decision is yours and we, the French will help you once you've made the decision.
Let me say that your principle is very dear to my heart, I feel so close, as it were, the strong personality of this principle, the strong temperament of the Principality, while the generosity the passion and the opening, faithful to your roots and open to the twenty-first century, what responsibility for you! Let me express you my faithfulness, fidelity of France to your sovereignty. You are not alone, we are your friends, your true identity and sovereignty, because no one can dispute the right people to protect their identity in contrast, are strong people who are unsure of its identity and because they are unsure of the identity, open to the outside, are those who are unsure of their identity that changed the opening to the confrontation.
Vive the Andorra! Viva Andorra!
Text in French
Source: Journal of Andorra
Speech at the town square - Audio (includes improvisations on the written speech). Source: Government of Andorra
Tags: taxes , bank secrecy
