Andorra and France have an unusual and long relationship. Andorra was created by Charlemagne as a buffer state between France and the Umayyad conquest of Hispania. In 1278, under terms of "pareage" agreement, Andorra adopted joint allegiance to a French and a Spanish prince after disputes between French heirs to the Urgel countship and the Spanish bishops of Urgell. For more than 700 years Andorra was ruled jointly by the leader of France and the Spanish Bishop of Urgell. In 1607, a French royal edict establishes the French head-of-state and bishop of Urgell as co-princes. In 1936, during the Spanish Civil War, France sent troops to protect Andorra from the spillover of the civil war. During World War II, Andorra became an important smuggling route from Vichy France into neutral Spain. Official diplomatic relations between Andorra and France were established after the signing of a joint Treaty of Good Neighborhood, Friendship and Cooperation between Andorra, France and Spain; after Andorra adopted a new constitution establishing them as a parliamentary democracy. The President of France acts as a co-Prince in Andorra. In 1993, France opened a resident embassy in Andorra la Vella. In October 1967, French PresidentCharles de Gaulle paid a visit to Andorra. It was the first visit by a French President to the nation. President de Gaulle paid a second visit in 1969. Since then, there have been several bilateral visits between leaders of both nations. French citizens are the second largest nationality to visit Andorra for touristic purposes. French citizens are also the third largest foreign residents in Andorra with 3,000 French citizens living in Andorra.
Bilateral agreements
Both nations have signed a few bilateral agreements such as Treaty of Good Neighbors, Friendship and Cooperation ; Agreements on the delimitation of the border and joint management of water ; Agreement on technical cooperation and mutual assistance in civil protection ; Agreement on cross-border police and customs cooperation and an Agreement on improving the viability of the roads RN 20, 230 and 22 between Tarascon-sur-Ariège and the border with Andorra.
Trade
France is Andorra's second largest trading partner. In 2016, France provided 15% of Andorra’s imports and received 15% of Andorra's exports. Andorra's main exports to France include: tobacco and furniture. France's exports to Andorra consist of many of that nations basic food products, electricity and fuel. Several French multinational companies operate in Andorra.
