There is no record about contributions given by Andorra to UN peacekeeping operations. Andorra has never participated in any form. The only participation recorded by documents of the General Assembly has been on voting on financial issues of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). There is a combination of factors about why Andorra does not participate.
Initial variables of the data collection process:
UN/UN peacekeeping policy reform
Andorra was admitted to the UN on July 28, 1993 (Thomson 2006a, par. 1). It participates in the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), International Telecommunications Union (ITU), Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), World Health Organization (WHO), World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), World Tourism Organization (WTOO), and is an observer at the World Trade Organization (WTO). It is also a member of the Council of Europe (Ibid.). Andorra’s role in the UN has been limited perhaps to its late membership to the international body. Nevertheless, UN/UN peacekeeping policy reform is not the main reason why Andorra does not participate.
Initial variables of the data collection process:
UN/UN peacekeeping policy reform
Andorra was admitted to the UN on July 28, 1993 (Thomson 2006a, par. 1). It participates in the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), International Telecommunications Union (ITU), Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), World Health Organization (WHO), World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), World Tourism Organization (WTOO), and is an observer at the World Trade Organization (WTO). It is also a member of the Council of Europe (Ibid.). Andorra’s role in the UN has been limited perhaps to its late membership to the international body. Nevertheless, UN/UN peacekeeping policy reform is not the main reason why Andorra does not participate.
Perception of peacekeeping
Andorra’s perception of peacekeeping is related to the perceptions in Spain and France, because they share the same mass media. The Andorran media scene has been partly shaped by the country's proximity to France and Spain (BBC 2006b, par. 5). Andorrans have access to broadcasts from both countries, and for many years Andorra was home to Sud Radio, a powerful radio station broadcasting to southwest France (Ibid.). The constitution provides for freedom of speech and of the press (Ibid.). Thus, being a country that has been technically isolated from UN affairs until 1993 limits the perceptions.
Domestic political environment
For more than 700 years Andorra has been ruled jointly by the leader of France and the Spanish Bishop of Urgel (Ibid., par. 4). Therefore, Andorra was not included on military issues or issues related to international security, instead its role has been to consolidate Andorra as a micro-state. For this effect, the first Andorran Constitution was passed in 1993, establishing a parliamentary co-principality (Ibid.). The co-princes remain Andorra's heads of state but the roles are largely honorary (Ibid.). And in case Andorra decides to participate in UN peacekeeping operations, this could require approval from Spain and France. Thus, Andorra’s domestic political environment is one of the main reasons why Andorra does not contribute troops.
For more than 700 years Andorra has been ruled jointly by the leader of France and the Spanish Bishop of Urgel (Ibid., par. 4). Therefore, Andorra was not included on military issues or issues related to international security, instead its role has been to consolidate Andorra as a micro-state. For this effect, the first Andorran Constitution was passed in 1993, establishing a parliamentary co-principality (Ibid.). The co-princes remain Andorra's heads of state but the roles are largely honorary (Ibid.). And in case Andorra decides to participate in UN peacekeeping operations, this could require approval from Spain and France. Thus, Andorra’s domestic political environment is one of the main reasons why Andorra does not contribute troops.
Domestic economic environment
An estimated 10 million people visit each year, drawn by the winter sports, summer climate and duty-free goods (Ibid., par. 3). The banking sector also enjoys a tax-haven status (Ibid.). As a result, Andorra’s citizens do not have the need to seek employment as peacekeepers. This is also a reason why Andorra does not participate, but this is not the main reason.
An estimated 10 million people visit each year, drawn by the winter sports, summer climate and duty-free goods (Ibid., par. 3). The banking sector also enjoys a tax-haven status (Ibid.). As a result, Andorra’s citizens do not have the need to seek employment as peacekeepers. This is also a reason why Andorra does not participate, but this is not the main reason.
Military affairs
Andorra has no defence force, and the police force is small (Thomson 2006a, par. 4). The sole military expenses are for ammunition used in salutes at official ceremonies, the lone responsibility of Andorra's small army. France and Spain are pledged to defend Andorra (Ibid.). As a result, Andorra does not send troops because they do not have them.
Andorra has no defence force, and the police force is small (Thomson 2006a, par. 4). The sole military expenses are for ammunition used in salutes at official ceremonies, the lone responsibility of Andorra's small army. France and Spain are pledged to defend Andorra (Ibid.). As a result, Andorra does not send troops because they do not have them.
Foreign policy
Andorra was admitted to the UN on July 28, 1993 (Ibid., par. 1). It participates in several international organizations. It is also a member of the Council of Europe (Ibid.). Andorra’s participation in international relations is limited to regional politics, and generic topics such as health, international trade, educations and others. Peacekeeping is not a priority within their foreign policy.
Andorra was admitted to the UN on July 28, 1993 (Ibid., par. 1). It participates in several international organizations. It is also a member of the Council of Europe (Ibid.). Andorra’s participation in international relations is limited to regional politics, and generic topics such as health, international trade, educations and others. Peacekeeping is not a priority within their foreign policy.
Additional variables found after the preliminary analysis:
Climate changes
No relevant information was found in this issue. Andorra has no environmental problems that could limit its participation.
Independent negotiations taken by DPKO to seek troops
DPKO does not seek Andorra’s participation because it has neither troops nor armed personal carriers.
DPKO does not seek Andorra’s participation because it has neither troops nor armed personal carriers.
Independent negotiations taken by contributor countries to engage non-contributor countries
No country has been involved to encourage Andorra to participate. As mentioned above, “the prince is the head of the state, but the roles are largely honorary,” because “it is ruled jointly by the leader of France and Spanish Bishop of Urgel” (BBC 2006b, par. 3). If Andorra decides to participate, most likely its participation will be through Spain or France’s defence forces.
Meetings organized by other international organizations to engage in dialogue about peacekeeping
Andorra is a member of the OSCE and its admission to the OSCE was in April 1996 (Thurston 1999, par. 1). Michael Thurston (1999) states that the OSCE has discussed the idea of the creation of a peacekeeping role similar to the UN “Blue Helmets,” but it is not its main priority (Ibid.). As a result, the chances of participation with the OSCE are not very promising in the near future.
Andorra is a member of the OSCE and its admission to the OSCE was in April 1996 (Thurston 1999, par. 1). Michael Thurston (1999) states that the OSCE has discussed the idea of the creation of a peacekeeping role similar to the UN “Blue Helmets,” but it is not its main priority (Ibid.). As a result, the chances of participation with the OSCE are not very promising in the near future.
Nevertheless, Andorra has been admitted into international organizations that hold submits to discuss issues of international security such as the Organization International pour le Francophonie (OIF):
In September 2006, [OIF] admitted Albania, Andorra, Greece and Macedonia as full OIF members; Cyprus and Ghana as associate members; and Mozambique, Serbia and Ukraine as observers. OIF had a submit where Heads of state or government from more than 30 French-speaking nations wrapped up Friday a two-day summit with a compromise on a declaration calling for a return to calm in war-torn Lebanon. The final wording is close to UN Security Council resolution 1701, which allowed for the reinforcement of UN peacekeepers in southern Lebanon and for Israeli troops to withdraw, which they have not yet completely done. (Mihaela 2006, 1)In summary, Andorra’s main reason for not contributing troops is because it does not have defence forces, added to the fact that it is a micro-state in Europe protected and indirectly ruled by France and Spain. Andorra’s citizens enjoy a high level of economic development, thus they are not in the need to seek employment as peacekeepers. Also, Andorra joined the UN in 1993, in a period where peace operations’ status started declining.
