elelENGLISH PeriòdicPeriòdicd' EDITION NewsW E Dxx 4 NEGOTIATIONS IN BRUSSELS The first agreement with the EU included the ‘guillotine clause’ The draft, which allowed Europe to break the agreement in case of non-compliance, was eliminated a year ago

EL PERIÒDIC SFGA TONY LARA ESCALDES-ENGORDANY @PeriodicAND he known as ‘guillotine clau- se’ allows the European Uni- on to break the agreement Tunilaterally and directly with the country in question should the same violate any of the agreed points. The initial text with which Andorra worked contained this clause, which would have allowed to void the entire agreement in ca- se, for example, that the Principality had not strictly complied with the deadlines for submitting informa- tion or the progressive loss of tobac- co customs duties. A year ago, howe- Jean-Jacques Carrié. ver, the Government was able to eli- 33 minated the clause. Carrié opts The Government for unifying negotiated to change the price of the ‘guillotine clause’ for the safeguard one, less tobacco aggressive than the first Thomas Mayr-Harting, Maria Ubach and Claude Maerten at the meeting from last Friday. EL PERIÒDIC 33 ESCALDES-ENGORDANY The question as to whether the clause», a mechanism that, unlike document during the negotiati- int committee that has been con- The President of the Adverti- clause was within the current docu- the guillotine clause, can be activa- on. That is, the Government mana- ducting the negotiation up to now sing Initiative of Pas de la Casa, ments has generated some contro- ted by both parties. In other words, ged to change the guillotine clau- would gather to find a friendly solu- Jean-Jacques Carrié, explained versy and discomfort among the op- Andorra could invoke it in case of se that left them without possibili- tion to the conflict. In the event that that from the point of view of position leaders who have often cri- «serious difficulties» or «bad evoluti- ties of action for a less agressive one this option does not work out, the the entity, to achieve a reduced ticized the «lack of transparency» of on» and Europe could also if it con- that introduces a third actor in ca- parties may address the Court of Jus- differential with France and a the Executive with the negotiations sidered that the Principality did not se of conflict. Thus, should the safe- tice of the European Union, an exter- unified price would be two of in Brussels and have claimed more comply with what was requested. guard clause be activated by either nal third-party actor, to finally issue the keys to end the smuggling information. However, the Govern- As explained by the same Foreign of the two signatory parties —which a decision whether the agreement problem. «Now there are shops ment would had managed to modi- Afairs Minister, Maria Ubach, this also refers to the entire agreement should be broken or if the situation that lower the price to the maxi- fy this clause for a less strict one that note would have been added to the and not a specific chapter— the jo- can be redirected. mum which is not good. If a pri- allowed both sides to end the nego- H ce was agreed according to the tiation. brand, we would prevent these the keys situations from occurring and SAFEGUARD CLAUSE Last Friday’s vi- everyone would earn more mo- sit to the country /by Thomas Mayr- ney», he said. In the same way Hanting and Claude Maerten, the Agreement in Negotiations to From the guillotine he recalled that «long time ago negotiators in chief of the associati- 1 principle with EU 2 eliminate the clause 3to the safeguard we said that the best solution to on agreement with Andorra served, eliminate smuggling would be among others, to announce that the Negotiations with Brussels began with The Government finally managed to ne- Finally, as Ubach confirmed on Friday, the that the price differential with EU finally accepted a three-decade the institutional framework. At the ti- gotiate the clause and eliminate it from institutional framework was signed with France was limited to at most transitional period for tobacco. The me, the document that Andorra had the final agreement. It should be no- a safeguard clause that could be activa- 25% or 30%.» «We want people meeting also gave some light to im- on the table included a clause called ted that the clause referred to the who- ted by both parties in case of difficulties or to come, buy the amount that is portant points of the agreement. guillotine that allowed the EU to break le negotiation agreement. Therefore, non-compliance. Should it be used, a fri- authorized and spend the day. In this context, the negotiators an- the agreement unilaterally in the event from one day to the next the agreement endly solution would be sought and, ulti- Smuggling is bad because it gi- nounced that there was a «safeguard of non-compliance by the Principality. could be completely revoked. mately, appeal to the EU Court of Justice. ves us a bad image. H 2 www.elperiodic.ad WEDNESDAY 4 JULY 2018 el Periòdic News

SOCIAL REINTEGRATION

tities will be added to Andorra Te- lecom and Desplom, which are the Desplom offers work to inmates two current collaborators. Espot stated that the Govern- ment wanted to promote policies that would serve to provide «tools» to encourage their reintegration to people who are deprived of their freedom so that their reintegrati-

EL PERIÒDIC on is «as standardized as possible». The collaboration is He also emphasized that it is fun- damental the workers have a «paid expected to have a call and dignified» job for it to succeed. effect for other entities XAVIER ESPOT Given that people who work MINISTER OF GOVERNMENT with this company must do it out- side prison —an aspect that Espot EL PERIÒDIC «Working outside values since it can be an incenti- @PeriodicAND prison may be an ve for the inmates— the head of So- he Minister of Social Af- aspect that incentives cial Affairs has stressed that the- fairs, Justice and Interior, other inmates to join ir curriculum will be transmitted Xavier Espot, and the ma- and that the demand would be ta- naging director of the ro- this company» ken to the tribunal if the person T did not enjoy the semi-free regime pe access work company Desplom, Ciro Rafael Leguizamón, signed a had been deprived of freedom and so that they could benefit from this collaboration agreement this Tu- asked to those responsible the pos- job. Espot has admitted that the esday morning through which the sibility of working as inmates. The procedure that must be used has objective is to promote the social company says they will try «to do a certain «complexity» and added reintegration of people who are our best» so that people who bene- that no limit has been set and that confined in the penitentiary cen- fit from the job can be reinserted the volume of people that can be- tre. Through this agreement, the Espot and Leguizamón after signing the collaboration agreement. into everyday life. In fact, Legui- nefit will be determined based on company undertakes to make a se- 33 zamón believes that the fact that the interest shown by the inmates ries of informative talks at the cen- their capabilities and willingness, them to find people who want to companies offer this kind of colla- and their abilities. The agreement, tre to explain to the interns want to work in the company. «do this work», basically consisting boration «should be a natural thi- which will last one year, also speci- the work they will do; They will of- Leguizamón emphasized that in the protection of natural risks. ng». In the same way, Espot empha- fies working hours and remunera- fer ongoing training so that those Desplom needs personnel, becau- The idea of offering both work and sized that «it should not be excep- tion that these people can receive. who wish to do so can be trained to se «demand has grown» (in fact the training to the inmates of La Come- tional» and expects that by making The requirements for the workers work on it, and will also offer jobs company has gone from 8-10 wor- lla arose as a result of the fact that these collaborations public, there will be to have a good physical con- to the interns who, depending on kers to 20) and it is difficult for two people working in Desplom will be a «call» effect and more en- dition and technical knowledge. H

POLITICS ENERGY

ht before the elections and even Sipaag and firefighters will not negotiate less knowing that some political More parties have said that they would photovoltaic the Civil Service law with DA stop this law». Meanwhile, Torra also explai- production at They reiterate that they great and he is not confident that so- regard, he recalled that the public ned that «taking into account the mething can be arranged. «What’s servants already made clear, with experience we had with the law reject the text and do not more, if we accept this, the chances a strike, that they rejected the law. for firefighters, we won’t try to the bus station expect improvements are that later on they will say that In addition, he indicated that they negotiate». The president of the the unions agreed», he said. In this do not want to enter the game «rig- ABA admitted that the working EL PERIÒDIC EL PERIÒDIC ESCALDES-ENGORDANY EL PERIÒDIC platform did not meet in ESCALDES-ENGORDANY days and that therefore The data provided by FEDA this we- The Trade Union of the General Ad- their opinion regarding ek highlighted that the photovoltaic ministration Staff Members (Sipa- this matter is not clear. production of the National Bus Sta- ag) and the Association of Firemen It is important to re- tion has increased by 11,000 kWh in (ABA) confirmed yesterday that they call that the text of the June. Specifically, 33,400 kWh were do not intend to sit down to negoti- new Civil Service law produced compared to the 22,700 ob- ate with the parliamentary group entered into parliamen- tained in May. This increase is related of DA the amendments to the Law tary procedure with the to the increase of days of sunshine af- of the Civil Service, explained tho- total disagreement of ter a rainy month of May. In 2017 the se responsible for both groups, Llu- the trade unions, who production was 165,000 kWh. ís Anguita and Joan Torra to EL PE- did not approve much of In relation to own electricity pro- RIÒDIC. the text or the manner duction, Andorra has generated 20.6 Sipaag’s decision was taken by in which negotiations GWh between hydraulic production the union board last week and has took place. Representa- (18.9 GWh), and thermal (1.7 GWh), already been announced. Anguita tives of civil servants at which represents 53, 4 of total co- made it clear that «we do not want all times complained untry consumption. With regard to this law and what we will not do is go about the lack of dialo- electricity consumption in Andorra there to try and make three or four gue on the part of the during the month of June, it has been agreements. Would it be worth it? Government, and espe- 38.6 GWh, a figure that represents a There are more than 20 key points cially the Minister of Ci- decrease of 0.3%. June 28 was the day we do not agree with!». From his po- vil Service, Eva Descar- that registered the maximum power int of view, the disagreement is too Lluís Anguita during one of the days of strike in March. rega. consumption, 73.1 MWh. 33 H H

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REMODELLING POLICE WORK

POLICIA. AD Improvements to the sports bridge of Pas

TONY LARA The comú has a budget of 270,000 euros to do all these works Police officers on duty. 33

EL PERIÒDIC Tourist under arrest for leaving ENCAMP @PeriodicAND the hotel without paying he gateway that gives access to the sports center of Pas EL PERIÒDIC in alcohol tests during several routi- de la Casa will be remode- ESCALDES-ENGORDANY ne stops. The most significant cases Tled to correct the deteriora- The police have arrested a 66-year- is a resident of 43 years, who at a ra- tion and defaults it currently has. Ac- old tourist on Sunday morning as te of 2.07 g / l caused an accident last cording to the counselor of public he was walking on the main stre- Monday, June 25 at night. Also, the works and urban planning of the Co- ets of Andorra la Vella as the alle- case with a resident woman of 30 ye- mú d’Encamp, Jordi Rich, the space ged offender of a fraud crime. The ars old, who crashed in the morning for cars, which has a metallic struc- man had left the day before the ho- two days later and came up positive ture, «after so many years» has dete- tel where he was staying at the ca- with 1.76 g / l.w. A local woman of riorated, although it does not pre- pital without paying. For this rea- 22 years was caught driving under sent any risk. Therefore, the corpora- son, the hotel required the police the influence with 1.63 g / l also du- tion has decided to renew the metal force to inform that a client had ring routine controls carried out on structure in addition to changing left with the bill of the accommo- June 27in the morning. In addition, the entire glass construction that dation, which exceeded 700 euros. she commited a criminal offense by currently covers the bridge for a ma- Apart from this arrest, the police driving despite suspending her dri- terial «that absorbs movement bet- officers had to intervene on Satur- ver’s license. Finally, on June 25, the View of the sports center and it’s gateway. ter, since glass has tendency to bre- day at noon in Escaldes-Engordany police arrested a 21-year-old non-re- 33 ak» he concluded. Rich indicated, to stop a 22-year-old from harming sident man who entered the Prin- however, that the details are still not of 3 months. They will also have to he said. The commú has a budget of his partner. The man resisted his ar- cipality along the French border very well defined as it was just a cou- come up with a proposal to remo- 270,000 euros planned for all these rest, but the police ended up retai- with two ecstasy pills and 1.9 grams ple of weeks ago the drafting of the del the part of the bridge used by pe- works, although until they approve ning him as the alleged perpetrator of cannabis.The police have also in- project and the works management destrians. The counselor stated that for all this, the exact cost will not be of crimes of domestic violence and formed that they will increase their were awarded. For the moment the it needs improvements, so that the known. Jordi Rich pointed out that serious resistance to police officers. members during the «festes del po- comú has allocated 10,972 euros to drafters of the project have been as- «Pas was starting to be left out and we Over the past week, police arrested ble» (local parties) where young men the drafting of the project, which ked to make proposals. «We want it knew that it was time for a structural up to nine people for crimes against and women drive under the influen- must be completed within a period to be a friendlier space for citizens» and maintenance review». road safety, as they came up positive ce and to avoid other mischiefs. H H

DEAFBLINDNESS MARICEL BLANCH Social Affairs works on a deaf-blind project to also raise awareness Ministry knows of 2 people tected that have approached the Ca- have to adapt to the specific disabi- talan association. «This is good» López lity of each person» explained Espot. with this disability and is pointed out despite specifying that «The Catalan association can advise already making a record «we hope that the creation of a cen- and help implement the program» sus is one of the first steps that are un- he added. EL PERIÒDIC dertaken within the framework of The intention is to organize events ESCALDES-ENGORDANY the new project». In Spain, there are to raise awareness like they did a few The Minister of Social Affairs, Xavier about 240,000 people affected and in days ago and to bring the disability Espot, clarified that «this is a unique Catalonia, almost 40,000. In fact, Es- closer to the general public. «This act disability and as such has to be recog- pot stated that «apart from these 2 pe- is already a first approach and allows nized and analyzed.» For this reason, ople, we understand that there are the professionals of our country to the ministry has been working for so- more people who have deafblind in provide tools so they can detect peo- me time with the Catalan associati- Andorra» and said that the ministry ple with this disability and do the ne- on of people with deafblindness «in is already working on preparing a re- cessary follow ups» the Social Affairs order to launch a project to assist pe- cord with the objective of offering an headline informed. From experience, ople with this disability in Andorra» approximate figure of those affected López explained that the main pro- announced the president of the en- in the country. The project being de- blem is «communication». For this re- tity, Ricard López. Although there are veloped will be based on attention to ason, the association works to help no figures in the Principality, two de- the person affected as is the case with these people overcome barriers and afblind people have already been de- all the social policies. «Obviously, we live an independent life. Young blind woman showing how the «lectoescriptura» works. H 33 4 www.elperiodic.ad WEDNESDAY 4 JULY 2018 el Periòdic News

nastics, judo and swimming also have, among others. The Special Olympics receive 100,000 more for Government increases the the organization of the sporting events in October. There are only three entities that have had their subsidy decreased compared to the economic aid to 19 entities previous year. The Andorran Olym- pic Committee drops from 122,972 to 92,706.68 because their help al- Positive signs with an increase of 224,181 euros compared to the previous year ways depends on the sporting ca-

SFGA lendar they have, like last year du- EL PERIÒDIC ring the Games of the Small Sta- ANDORRA LA VELLA tes. The federation of wu-shu and @PeriodicAND kung-fu does not have it because ports entities of the co- they submitted the request a bit untry already know the fi- too late. While chess is reduced gures they will receive in from 192,772 to 129,953.49 for the Sthe form of subsidies from restructuring of its chess program the Government. The amounts in- in schools. creased 7.05% over last year, but «The more we help them, the mo- not all are favored. The Andorran re good results they get and then Ski Federation (FAE) is again the more aids they need. It is a real is- most beneficiary, exceeding one sue, a double-edged sword if you million euros. In total the subsidi- will» explained Olga Gelabert, Mi- es distributed are 3,402,247.49 eu- nister of Culture, Youth and Sports; ros, an increase of 224,818.49 in assuring that «more resources must the previous year. There are 33 en- be given to achieve results». Many of the entities did not have the sub- sidies they had requested. This is a FAE is still the most real problem because «paying what beneficiarywith an all the federations want is unachie- vable» for budgetary reasons, says increase of 50,000 euros Sports Secretary of State, Jordi Beal, to receive a subsidy of although «we would like to do more despite the volume of demands and 1.05 million the limited budget». However, he hopes that the aids will help futu- tities that receive public assistan- Gelabert and Beal, during the presentation of subsidies to sports entities. re athletes develop their talents. ce. The one that receives the grea- 33 H ter amount is FAE with € 1,050,000 increased by 50,000. It is followed SUBSIDIES TO SPORT ENTITIES 2018 by the mountaineering federation with196,000 and BC Andorra with INCREASED NO CHANGES 179,914. Autombile Club of Andorra 47.500 Club Andorra 179.914 Up to 19 entities have had their Andorran Adapted Sports Federation 53.500 Club Volleyball Andorra 65.000 subsidies increased. For skiing it Andorran Athletics Federation 190.000 Andorran Ice sports Federation 31.000 is to be able to classify athletes for Andorran Skiing Federation 1.050.000 Andorran Equestrian Federation 10.000 the next World Cup that will be Andorran Handball Federation 22.500 Andorran Sport Dance Federation 7.500 held in the Principality, handball Andorran Canoe-Kayak Federation 35.000 Andorran Basketbal Federation 90.000 to support Margot Oliva in France Andorran Cycling Federation 50.000 Andorran Federation of Karate 33.000 at, in canoe-kayak for the prepara- Andorran Federation Gymnastics 75.000 Andorran Federation of Mountaineering 196.000 tion of Mònica Doria and Laura Pe- Judo and Jujitsu Federation 110.000 Andorran Federation of Rugby 109.680 llicer to achieve the goal of being Andorran Swimming Federation 125.000 Andorran Federation of Archery 4.500 in Tokyo for 2020, VPC (rugby) to Andorran Ice skating Federation 61.600 Andorran Sailing Federation 28.250 Andorran Volleyball Federation 62.700 compensate the travel expenses in- Andorran Petanque Federation 8.000 Andorran Taekwondo Federation 39.500 Motorcycling federation of Andorra 72.600 volved playing in the French lea- Andorran Tennis Federation 76.000 Futbol Club Andorra 145.000 gue, the federations of taekwon- Andorran Table Tennis Federation 5.500 do and tennis in order to help the Andorran Shooting Federation 24.500 DECREASED progression of Jorge Gonzàlez and Andorran Specials Olympics Federation 146.550 Olympic Committe of Andorra 92.706 Vicky Jiménez, cycling to continue Andorran Golf Federation 11.000 Andorran Federation of Wu-Shu and Kung-Fu - developing the ARCA program, a VPC Andorra Rugby XV 106.000 Chess Federation of Valls d’Andorra 37.246 technification project that gym-

PERIODICS NEWS WORK EXPERIENCE Vall Banc: 32 students in the summer practice program They will work in fields talent. Since yesterday, Vall Banc has such as technology, risk started the month with 32 young management and finance university students in the organi- zation’s program of practice. This EL PERIÒDIC paid stay, aimed at students in the ANDORRA LA VELLA country, lasts for two months and These young students have a chan- is part of the training program for ce to inhance their talents and im- talent creation and research pur- prove their knowledge and skills poses. For the second consecuti- working in banks of the country ve year Vall Banc shows its inte- more specifically Vall Banc. They rest in offering summer stays that will work in areas such as Human will allow the labor growth of the- Resources, Technology, Risk Ma- se young professionals and provi- nagement, Legal advice, Finance, de a new perspective to the entity. Photo of the future workers of Vall Banc having fun. Administration and Account Con- These practices, apart from being 33 trol, Business Back Office, Central a professional training period, al- Archive, Asset Manager, Compli- so serve as a validation of univer- ir professional training in the ban- July of 2015 and acquired by JC sition in the market, its efforts and ance and Communication, among sity credits with the establishment king sector. Flowers in July 2016. In recent above all, offering the best services others. The formative stay is part of agreements with their respecti- months, the entity has initiated to its customers. To get in touch or of the strategy of the entity to com- ve centers of study. The objective of IN REFERENCE TO VALL BANC Vall Banc a comprehensive transformation to get more information do not he- bine research and the creation of the eventualities is to improve the- is an Andorran bank founded/ in plan to continue improving its po- sitate to visit www.vallbanc.ad. H