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Interview with H.S.H. Crown Prince Albert for the Council of Europe Internet site

 

Photo: ©Gamma

Monaco's Hereditary Prince Albert will represent the Principality at the ceremony on 5 October to mark his country's accession to the Council of Europe. The Council of Europe's Committee of Ministers decided to invite the Principality of Monaco to become the Organisation's 46th member state.

The Palace, Monaco,
September 2004.

Question : What does Monaco expect from its accession to the Council of Europe?

H.S.H. Crown Prince Albert: Without expecting the accession to have any particular special effect, the Principality of Monaco’s desire was simply to join this European organisation whose values and goals it shares, and in which it quite naturally has its place like all the other small States of Europe.

Since the Middle Ages the Principality and its reigning Princes have had an active role in European history.

My father the Sovereign Prince, from the beginning of his reign, has signified a wish for outreach to the world, demonstrated by our country’s participation in most of the major international organisations.

Finally, our country is committed to the human values which are the Council of Europe’s own and are all about respect for human rights, justice, concord and peace.

Question : The accession procedure has been singularly long in the Parliamentary Assembly. What sort of feeling has it aroused in the Principality?

H.S.H. Crown Prince Albert: The long duration of the procedure may have caused surprise, but is explained chiefly by the concern of our leaders and elected representatives for our accession to the Council of Europe to occur without upheaval in our institutions and with proper respect for our unique characteristics.

It was therefore necessary to strive for a balance which we have luckily attained so that now at last we can join your organisation and still be ourselves.

Question : To make accession possible, Monaco had to redefine its relations with France. How was this stipulation of the Parliamentary Assembly perceived?

H.S.H. Crown Prince Albert: Suffice it to mention the dates of the agreements that bound Monaco and France - the 1918 Treaty, the 1930 Convention – to appreciate the universally recognised necessity attaching to revision of the provisions of these instruments.

These Franco-Monegasque negotiations were undertaken and conducted in parallel with those relating to our accession to the Council of Europe but, despite this concomitance, the discussions proceeded independently and without affecting each other.

Question : Now that accession is a certitude, what can Monaco bring to the Council of Europe and its 45 other member countries?

H.S.H. Crown Prince Albert: I think that with their traditions and distinctiveness, small States like the Principality of Monaco have their place in the wider Europe.

They offer it the qualities that have enabled them to survive by overcoming the trials of history through the centuries.

They are wealthy in their culture and their sensibilities.

They are bearers of the diversity and authenticity which brought 21st century Europe into being.