elENGLISH Periòdic EDITION NewsM O N 2 4

ALTERNATIVES TO THE TOBACCO Farmers are ready to do grow cannabis plantations The APRA proposes to the Government a pilot They say as a condition to be able to participate test to verify the viability of this crop in the process of leaf transformation

TONY LARA so in the process of preparation of cannabis essential oils, ‘’ which are XAVIER COMA made by pharmaceuticals. Accord- PRESIDENT OF THE APRA ing to Coma, «only in this way could we be competitive in the country, «We can take on the crop; the because cannabis leaf would prob- ably be cheaper, but if we made the machinery is similar to tobacco and product here, at a fiscal level we we would only need greenhouses » would surely be counted.» INTER-MINISTERIAL STUDY The Gov- ernment noted that the/ propos- «Plantations would be confined to al comes from the private sector and is still in a very early stage. «It ensure safety and prevent pollination would fall into the plan to diversi- fy agriculture, in the same way that of cannabis crops» other alternatives such as cranber- ry cultivation have been studied,» said the Executive. For his part, the president of the APRA confessed that the cannabis project would be being analysed by several min- istries at once to see how much ap- proval could be for this crop. In this regard, Coma explained that, in the case of a reality, «plantations would be confined inside green- houses, not like in other parts of the world, in our country.» Not just for the heat they need but for the cannabis seed contamination and for safety reasons. «

OLD PROPOSALS It is worth remem- bering that the/ environmentalist and leftist Greens of Andorra party advocated the legalization of can- Xavier Coma, President of the Farmers and Livestock Association (APRA) during an interview. nabis in its program for medicinal 33 purposes. Its leader, Isabel Lozano, EL PERIÒDIC ing at APRA assemblies for seven volving the missing experts, «from stated that «a model similar to the ESCALDES-ENGORDANY years now and we see it with good The project is being plant cultivation to first process- one used in Switzerland is proba- @PeriodicAND eyes. We are ready to take up culti- reviewed by various ing.» To do so, they would ask for a bly proposed, where cannabis is inister Calvó turned vation, the machinery is very sim- «legal exception,» and in the event legal and in fact works very well on the cannabis debate ilar to tobacco and we would only ministries to see the that the Government and farmers for geographical reasons.» Lozano and passed it on to the need greenhouses, «said Coma. extent to which it would see that it works, they would call added that «the legalization of this MFarmers and Livestock Last Thursday, Minister of Ag- be approved for legal action to begin. plant in the Alpine country led to a Association (APRA). Its chairman, riculture and Environment Sílvia revitalization of the pharmaceuti- Xavier Coma, confirmed in EL PER- Calvó revealed that they were con- PRODUCERS The only condition cal sector». IÒDIC yesterday that all tobacco sidering diversifying crops with that APRA would/ endorse the Gov- In the same vein, Coma shared growers in Andorra would be pre- the entry of cannabis into the Prin- ernment proposal would be that Lozano’s opinion, «cannabis in the pared to grow cannabis for thera- cipality. In response, APRA ad- «the producer also participates in country will open new markets and peutic use, should the Government vanced to this press release, which the first transformation, that is, diversify the economy,» he con- approve it. «We have been speak- they would like to «pilot-test,» in- not only cultivating the leaf, but al- cluded. H 16 www.elperiodic.ad MONDAY, 24 FEBRUARY 2020 el Periòdic News

THE BREXIT GOES AHEAD OF THE ASSOCIATION AGREEMENT Negotiations with the EU will last two and a half years The change of Government and the agreed departure of the United Kingdom delay the planning for Andorra

SFGA / CESTEVE EL PERIÒDIC ANDORRA LA VELLA @PeriodicAND he work to reach a future partnership agreement continues but with a half Tyear delay on the Execu- tive’s initial schedule. Although Andorra has been working to carry out analyses and reports on the different aspects to be dealt with, the change of representa- tives to the highest bodies of the European Union and the redistri- bution of cash towards the talks for an agreed departure from the The United Kingdom and the EU have slowed the pace of dialogue and extended two and a half ye- ars. A fact was warned yesterday by the Secretary of State for Euro- pean Affairs, Landry Riba, at the informative breakfast organized in the Government building. An agreement that will have to be

The chapters already closed will not be affected by the negotiations that the EU has with the United Kingdom signed, submitted for a referen- dum and ratified by the General Council and, where appropriate, by the 27 Member States. «There may be some influen- ce on post-Brexit negotiation when it comes to the issues we find in both projects,» said Ri- ba, although these are negotiati- ons «that seek to reach different instruments.» While the United The Secretary of State for European Affairs, Landry Riba, during the informative breakfast at the end of the Association agreement with the European Union. Kingdom seeks purely economic 33 agreement, the Andorran text is political and economic. Similar- restructuring being carried out ly, they do not treat the same is- at European level. sues because, while the English 2020 negotiation calendar authorities speak of defense and VISIBILITY OF NEGOTIATIONS The Exe- citizen security, Andorran peo- cutive will resume meetings/ to March 2020 X - Services in general ple do so of free movement. Dia- explain the progress in the part- V - Free movement of workers XVI - Public procurement logues that should not affect the nership agreement in March VI - Social Security XX - Environment already closed chapters of agree- with representatives of the pro- ments, such as the merchandise. Landry Riba fessional sectors. Thus, he has VIII - Freedom of establishment «It will inevitably hurt, but we S. OF STATE OF EUROPEAN AFFAIRS planned meetings with profes- XVIII - Equality, right of work December 2020 do not know how much,» said the «We will see if the sional colleges and groups of te- XI - Postal services nured workers such as lawyers, Secretary of State in reference to XII - Free movement of capital the Brexit, at a time when nego- schedule provided economics and technical and he- June 2020 tiations are just beginning and alth professions. Meetings that IIV - Energy «there are only talks and positi- [by the secretariat] any company will also be able to XI - Information, audiovisual and February 2021 ons». Uncertainty in a never-be- can be kept request to resolve possible speci- telecommunications society XIV - Competition fore-seen agreement makes the fic doubts. Public meetings will stage «extremely open». Howe- strictly» also resume in April, this time fo- services XV - State aid ver, he hopes that the talks will cusing on the free movement of XIII - Transport XXII - Company rights not last longer than the planned goods. XVII - Intellectual Property 11 months, given the large struc- However, and on the occasion XIX - Consumer protection Technical exchanges ture that has been established to of the thirtieth anniversary of re- work on different issues in para- lations with the European Uni- XXI - Statistics I - Veterinary, phytosanitary llel. on, the Secretary of State will pu- and food safety aspects Among the subjects with the blish various audio-visual inter- October 2020 XXIV - Agriculture most advanced negotiation, the views with the most important Secretary of State cited energy, actors, as well as two exhibitions, II - Technical regulations, XXIII - Customs transport or telecommunicati- one on the tasks carried out over certifications XXV - Trade ons. Financial services are the on- the three decades and the second III - Production responsibilities IX - Financial services (outside ly ones that have been left out of in collaboration with the associa- VII - Recognition of degrees of initial planning) the agreements, due to the same tion Cartooning for Peace. H www.elperiodic.ad MONDAY, 24 FEBRUARY 2020 el Periòdicel Periòdic d’Andorra News 1717

ANA CASINO CONSTRUCTION Marsol denies that the connection to the Plaza del Poble was a condition

The consul contradicts the fused a license». In this sense, Mar- sol continued his positive attitude Government and complains by saying that «I do not lose hope about the obstacles that it puts that it will be fixed and can be taken forward, as there are still resources that need to be studied». According EL PERIÒDIC to the senior consul of Andorra la ESCALDES-ENGORDANY Vella, «the information I had was @PeriodicAND that the winning project met all the he senior consul of Andor- requirements». ra la Vella, Conxita Marsol, However, Marsol did not want yesterday showed his dis- to conflict with his party partner Tcomfort with the way the and Finance Minister and spokes- construction of the future casino man Eric Jover, but he stated that is evolving. Yesterday, after the Car- «the connection to the Plaza del Po- nival parade in Santa Coloma, Mar- ble was not established, I have been sol passed all the information that saying it for active and for passive, is being published regarding the re- and that is why it is very surprising The senior consul of Andorra la Vella, Conxita Marsol. fusal of the license to Games SA and that this is the reason for refusal. « 33 was «surprised» because «it believed Marsol continued to claim that that everything was fixed. « The con- «the casino must be done in the pa- CONXITA MARSOL according to her «because I do not sul added that «connecting to Pla- rish of Andorra la Vella, since the MAJOR CONSOL ANDORRA LA VELLA have direct information» although za del Poble was not a condition, as first, second and third projects cho- she claimed that «Andorra la Vella there is a signed agreement saying se the location in our parish». The «An agreement signed says that only has the right to know why the CRAJ that it only needed to be done if the maximum representative of the has made the decision that has ta- comú requested.» Marsol was sadde- comú of the capital was flattering, the connection with the Plaza del Poble ken. « ned by how the events were procee- saying «if it is not possible for the Games SA will file a new appeal ding: «I am very disappointed and I SA Games project to be the second had to be made if the comú asked for it» against the refusal to grant the li- hope that from the CRAJ or the Go- or third, but in no way can I admit cense and denied having delayed vernment, I am given the relevant that another one must be suspen- submitting the required documen- explanations so that I can unders- ded or re-summoned» contest ”. «By no means will I admit that tation by the CRAJ, which would tand and value what’s going on.» Marsol said, «Otherwise, it would supposedly have caused them not mean something went wrong and another contest has to be suspended to be given the permission again. LACK OF INFORMATION The Senior you really should start looking at Should the license be denied again, Consul acknowledged/ that «I ha- what happened.» or re-called.» the court could be opened, so the ve no direct information on what Despite being clear, the Consul casino’s work would take even lon- happened and why the CRAJ has re- did not want to let go completely, ger. H

NOVA CONSTRUCTORA ANDORRA OUTBREAK OF HIVES ENTREPRENEURSHIP briefs The NIU brings Day of teachers of The French school of religion three startups Ordino will reopen the EDUCATION Sant Julià de Lòria will host on3 March 21 the 14th to the Barcelona Day of teachers of religion of past Easter classrooms Catalonia and Andorra, entit- Tech Spirit led Learning to teach. This is an The center thoroughly cleaned the annual training meeting that EL PERIÒDIC is being celebrated this year in affected areas without finding the origin of ESCALDES.ENGORDANY collaboration with the Univer- the chemical that caused the irritations Andorra Telecom will be sity of Andorra, the Sant Julià present with the NIU pro- Municipality and the Gover- EL PERIÒDIC classrooms we- gram at Barcelona Tech Spi- nment. Different publishers ESCALDES-ENGORDANY re dismantled. rit, which replaces the 4 Years support it. Registrations for te- The Ministry of Health and the As a precauti- From Now (4YFN) event that achers of religion are open un- Ministry of Education and Higher onary measu- was cancelled due to the coro- til March 6. Education reported yesterday that re and extreme navirus outbreak, and will ta- in recent days new samples have precaution, it ke place from February 24 to been collected and thorough clea- was decided to 27. The video game workshop ning works in the classrooms of the hire a company «The NIU has three startups An archive image of the French School of Ordino. French school of Ordino after the to thoroughly for contacts and the ecosystem brings together 34 participants 33 an episode of hives that some stu- clean the cen- of startups and investors,» said ECONOMIA “What am I gonna feel to- dents suffered last month. As the ter’s ventilation pipes. This clean- volved. Miquel Gourre, head of the day” was the3 winning project of the results so far did not allow the ir- sing of the ducts and subsequent In a statement they sent, the He- NIU. The first project is Trion- video game design workshop that ritant to be identified by the inci- tests lasts about three weeks. Thus, alth and Education Ministries said Data, a software product focu- was held yesterday at the Univer- dent, general and in-depth clean-up before being able to reintegrate the they were in constant contact with sed on the services of banks sity of Andorra for the third con- was performed and it is anticipated students in these classrooms will the French education delegation in and insurers; the second is Co- secutive year. There were 34 par- that the students could be reloca- proceed to a new cleaning of the Andorra and with the school’s ma- data, which is focused on Chi- ticipants in the event, from both ted to their regular classrooms af- spaces and a final collection of sam- nagement to monitor the evoluti- nese e-commerce markets that the bachelor’s degree in Compu- ter the Easter holidays. ples. on of the case. The analyses of the fi- uses influencers for product ter Science at the UdA and the DEP Although this procedure may nal samples, as well as those of the recommendations; Finally, in Microinformatics and networks THOROUGH CLEANING Among other delay the return of students to the previous samples, will be available the Petracoin, which gives tra- from the Aixovall Vocational Trai- things, in addition/ to the furnitu- affected classrooms, child safety is to the Ministry of Health for anyone ceability to all that is natural ning Center. The event is part of re cleaning, the false ceilings in all prioritized by the two ministries in- who wants to consult them. stone. the 11th Video Game Show. H H 18 www.elperiodic.ad MONDAY, 24 FEBRUARY 2020 el Periòdic News

OLYMPICS PYRENEES-BARCELONA 2030 SQUIRRELS AND FREESTYLE 3 FAE The President of Aragon ruled out including Andorra in the Olympic candaidacy

AGENCIA EFE The COE reports on an mittee, Alejandro Blanco, sta- Marc Oliveras in the test ting that there is an «almost to- 33 «almost total» agreement tal» agreement between Aragon between Aragon and Catalonia and Catalonia to present a can- Oliveras, didature joint by 2030. As Blanco recalled, negotiations began in 29th in the EL PERIÓDIC 2010 and «the talks are very ad- ESCALDES-ENGORDANY vanced at this time.» In fact, the Reiteralm @PeriodicAND President of the COE considered he socialist president that the key is to have a candida- European Cup of Aragon, Javier Lam- ture «if there is no political agre- bán, announced that ement of all institutions» and he EL PERIÒDIC The intends to organize positively assessed that «in this ESCALDES-ENGORDANY a «Spanish project» for the Pyre- moment of confrontation we The tricolor Marc Oliveras fi- nees-Barcelona 2030 candidacy, are living we are able to sit down nished 29th yesterday in the which would separate the Prin- all around a table so we can talk second day of the Europe- cipality from possible participa- about sports and thus prepare an an Skicross Cup held in the tion in some of the events. In this agreement for all citizens. « Austrian town of Reiteralm. regard, the socialist Lambán sta- This way the Andorran ad- ted that he seeks to «be Olympic THE AMBASSADOR IN ANDORRA With ded two more points to the Games in the Catalan and Arago- regard to the Spanish represen/ - European competition after nese Pyrenees», which would le- tatives destined for the Principa- reaching the eighth finals, ave Andorra out of the sporting lity, it must be remembered that as he signed a fourth place in event after a few months of inten- Àngel Ros informed to EL PERIO- this stage and could not re- se discussions between the An- DIC a month ago of the wording ach the next round. Therefo- The socialist president of Aragon, Javier Lambán, in an archive image. dorran and Catalan delegations. «of favourable reports which re- re, Oliveras is 59th in the ove- 33 In addition, Lambán said that the flected the suitability of inclu- rall classification of the Eu- positive economic impact on the «could contribute to reducing advances to date have been «fair- ding Andorra» in the candida- ropean Cup. The skier said he Aragon brand would be a signifi- the contentiousness of Catalo- ly modest». Lambán warned that ture. . Thus, as Ros stated, the was «hoping for a better posi- cant boost and this would be one nia with Spain». The Aragonese «we cannot fall asleep and we proposal should have the Princi- tion, but I still have a sore an- of the great reasons behind the representative then stated that must begin to seriously evalua- pality, because «an Olympic can- kle from the fall I suffered in organization of these Games. The «one of the hopes at national le- te the possibilities of the candi- didacy in the Pyrenees must ha- Germany. I see that these Eu- leader also emphasized that, in vel is that it would mean a reloca- dacy». ve the only country that is 100% ropean Cups are very high. « addition to the economic aspect, tion of Catalonia to Spain, which in the area, Andorra, and which On the other hand, the young one of the main «virtues» that the I absolutely support». Finally, the THE COE On the other hand, the- is lucky to have magnificent ski freestyle skier Carlitos Agua- sporting milestone could have Socialist politician took the op- se words/ of Lambán come after facilities as demonstrated in the reles took a valuable fifth pla- is the «positive political effect» portunity to send a quick messa- the statements of the President previous edition of the World ce in the Big Air Davos Euro- in the Iberian country. , he says, ge, as he acknowledged that the of the Spanish Olympic Com- Cup Finals. ” pean Cup. H H

MOUNTAIN SKIING ANDORRA SKIMO DOWNHILL SKIING SUPERGIANT PHYS 3 3 FAE Skimo 4 increases its demand and adds 600 meters of unevenness The competition will have several changes to the itinerary due to the lack of snow

ANDORRA SKIMO manding test.

ASSESSING THE CHANGES As for the test organizers, Riart was/ pleased with the final layout and stated that «increasing the unevenness was the only possibility for run- ners not having to walk much». Kevin Courrieu and Matías Vargas in a team photo this season. Thus, regarding the new areas, Ri- 33 art said that «we believe these de- velopments make the route very nice with a second day more de- Courrieu finishes 27th in the manding than it was the previous year». Therefore, Riart stated that Sella Nevea supergiant `` we will no longer provide re- fuelling in Ransol and will do so EL PERIÒDIC ly in the morning, at the beginning at the Coms de Jan shelter. The ESCALDES-ENGORDANY of the day there was little in a very other important change is that Andorran sportsman Kevin Cour- fast route. So, out of the top 50, only of Sorteny, where the young pe- rieu yesterday signed a 27th posi- half finished. ople will make the circuit. I thi- tion in the FIS supergiant in Sella nk there is an itinerary to enjoy Nevea (Italy) on the final day of the SKIING NIGHT On the other hand, Participants in one of the previous editions an archive image. the sport. ‘’ men’s speed races. Thus, the skier the annual ski/ night gala was held 33 Turné, director of the race, al- took a time of 1.12.62 minutes, to yesterday in the Borda Pairal in An- EL PERIÒDIC Skimo 4, the second stage of Ski- so said that «very high tempera- 2.71 seconds from the winner, the dorra la Vella. The seventh editi- ESCALDES-ENGORDANY mo 10 and the youth race increa- tures have made our lives diffi- Slovenian Martin Cater. In that sen- on was centered around the solida- The organizers of La Sportiva se their difficulty and affect the- cult». He added that «there are se, the Principality scored 69.13 FIS rity and drive for the participants Andorra Skimo, Gerard Riart and ir course due to the lack of snow maybe 20 minutes where there points, which means a slight im- of the Principality, as this event Joan Turné, announced the defi- on the mountain. In this way, the is not much snow, but the rest of provement from the current 70.39 seeks to raise money for the co- nitive routes yesterday after a we- snow and the sun forced the orga- the time the route is fantastic.» which adds up, and thus puts it untry’s skiers. During the dinner ek marked by difficulties when nization to modify the Skimo 4’s Finally, he emphasized that «the 14th in the FIS list. For his part, Ma- there was a raffle with important deciding the itineraries due to itinerary and add 600 meters mo- northern faces of the mountain tías Vargas was unable to complete prizes such as a trip to the Domini- the weather. However, while Ski- re difference in altitude than it are frozen and this complicates the race. The race was marked by a can Republic, ski passes, skis and mo 6 continues as planned, the was before to become a more de- skiing.» change in visibility. Being very ear- other gifts. H H