Malaysia has officially established diplomatic relations with Andorra, marking a significant milestone in their bilateral ties. The formal agreement was signed on Wednesday through an “Exchange of Notes” at the Permanent Mission of Malaysia to the United Nations, attended by Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan and Andorran Foreign Minister Imma Tor Faus.
Mohamad Hasan called the cooperation “important and timely,” particularly in enhancing collaboration on international justice and humanitarian issues. He noted that Andorra, a small principality situated between Spain and France, has been a long-standing ally of Malaysia in multilateral forums, especially at the United Nations.
“While the diplomatic relations have just been formalized, the close ties between Malaysia and Andorra have existed for some time, particularly in advocating for international justice. Andorra has also been vocal in condemning the atrocities against the Palestinian people in Gaza. This relationship has been long awaited by Andorra, and we warmly welcome this connection,” he stated.
He expressed optimism that this partnership would strengthen ties between the people of both countries, especially in the tourism sector. Mohamad highlighted Andorra’s renowned winter tourism industry as a potential complement to Malaysia’s tourism offerings, encouraging greater exchanges between their citizens.
Faus expressed gratitude for Malaysia’s hospitality and emphasized the historical relationship between the two nations, particularly within the UN framework. “Today’s event is significant for Andorra as we complete our diplomatic relations with Asian member countries, just months before Malaysia assumes the ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025.
“Our shared values and priorities make this cooperation both important and natural in our globalized world,” she remarked. Faus underscored the importance of collaboration in tackling global challenges like climate change and noted that both countries have made strides in environmental preservation.
Andorra, governed by two co-princes—the President of France and the Bishop of Urgell in Spain—has a population of around 77,000 and boasts a rich linguistic diversity, with Catalan as its official language, alongside widely spoken Spanish and French.
