The Consul Major of Encamp, Laura Masclaims “more coordination” between Andorra i France in the fight against smuggling. In statements to the program Let’s talk about it, from Diari TVMas affirmed that the two countries should strengthen the collaboration for stop the illegal tobacco trade “not only of punctual form, but consecutively and for a long time”.
“(…) in recent weeks many smugglers have been seen again in the Pass”
The representative called into question the effectiveness of the crash plan deployed since November last year to stop criminal activity. “I don’t know if it just worked. It’s true that it did.” implemented measuresbut the bad image is still there”, he pointed out. The consul confirmed that one has been observed recent uptick in smuggling: “We spent a winter in which the activity had decreased a lotbut in recent weeks we have seen many again smugglers in Pas de la Casa“.
be that as it may, But he reiterated that they will not be able to solve the problem “neither the French nor the Andorrans alone“. The police and customs officershe recalled, do the work of control i trackingbut “coordination is lacking” because the country’s security forces “they cannot act in FranceThe example that should be followed, according to the consul, is the mixed patrols, since “they know perfectly how and when” action must be taken.
contracts
But moved the demand to the Government 15 days ago The consul also reported it in April French co-prince, Emmanuel Macronin the last visit to Andorra “I thanked him for the speed in reestablishing access for theRN-20but we also talked about smuggling and he shares this desire for coordination”, explained the representative.
“(With Macron) we also talked about smuggling and he shares this desire for coordination”
And the businesses of Pas de la Casa, what involvement should they have in the fight against the illicit tobacco trade? But he assured that “the vast majority do things well”. In fact, the Economic and Social Council of the Pas has made it common knowledge that the bad image generated by smuggling “also harms them” because it can “to scare“customers and visitors. The sector”is aware“, he emphasized, that the trade association with the presence of smugglers in the village is negative.
The main way of communication by road between the Pas and Arieja was left cut off between the January 31 and March 9 by a landslide. The solution was provisional, and complementary actions will be taken in the coming months. “We have been informed of the works and we have been invited to monitor it. Work could begin in the fallbut they could also be done at a later date”, explained the consul. In any case, these works would not lead to traffic interruptions and the intermittent passage regulated by traffic lights would be enabled.
recovery
thestoppage of activity for the closing of theRN-20 and for the last winter’s snowstorms are still noticeable in the step. The gas station’s business figures Gazopas allow to estimate that the number of visitors is located below usual by a percentage of 20%. But hope that normality can be restored in the summer. The businesses most affected by the closure were the shops and restaurants located in the lower part of town. The impact was less in the establishments linked to the ski domain.
the common he reserved one million euros from the public coffers to help the businesses of the border population. The corporation has delivered 29,000 euros in direct aid, 4,000 euros in tax credits and some 7,000 euros in concept of 50% of the bus cost shuttle between theOspitalet and Pas de la Casa (the other half was paid by Government). Thanks to the involvement of Francethe works to ensure theRN-20 they were completed in just over a month, although the initial deadline was three months. The reopening fast off the road considerably reduced the economic impact of the cut
THE COMMON THAT WILL MAKE MORE INVESTMENTS
But he also emphasized that one third of the expenditure of the common during the 2026 –16 of 45 million– is will allocate to investment. “The common that will invest the most this year will be that ofEncamp“, affirmed the consul. The representative also emphasized that only a few have been planned income of two million euros for the construction tax and that it is estimated that a third of the returns will come from the canons to societies with activity in the parish such as Saetdethe exploiter of the domain of Grau Roig-Pas de la Casa and Gasopas. But assured that the 100% of this income are intended for equipment and services.
