Visit to the Principality by the Secretary General of the Council of Europe

H.E. Mr. Serge Telle, Minister of State and Mr. Thorbjorn Jagland, Secretary General of the Council of Europe ©Government  Communication Department /Charly Gallo

Mr. Thorbjorn Jagland, Secretary General of the Council of Europe, accompanied by a delegation*, made an official visit to Monaco on 27 October 2016.

This was the first official visit by a Secretary General of the Council of Europe to Monaco since the Principality joined this organisation in 2004.

The Secretary General was received in an audience by H.S.H. the Sovereign Prince, in the presence of Ms. Anne-Marie Boisbouvier, Advisor to the Prince's Cabinet, Mr. Gilles Tonelli, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation and H.E. Mr. Rémi Mortier, Ambassador, Permanent Representative of Monaco to the Council of Europe.

A working meeting was also held in the presence of H.E. the Minister of State, attended by Government Ministers, the Legal Advisor to the Government and the Head of Legal Affairs.

Mr. Jagland also met with H.E. Mr. Philippe Narmino, Secretary of Justice and Mr. Christophe Steiner, Speaker of the National Council (Parliament), and then with the High Commissioner for the Protection of Rights, Liberties and for Mediation, Ms. Anne Eastwood.

This visit was an opportunity to take stock of the Principality's participation in the work of the Council of Europe and the benefits that Monaco has been able to accrue from this participation.  The points addressed also focused on current events, in particular combating terrorism, international security, the prevention of violent extremism, the migrant crisis and the situation in Ukraine. 

On this occasion, the interlocutors with whom the Secretary General met were able to clarify details of the initiatives taken by Monaco to promote Human Rights, as well as the many actions undertaken since Monaco's accession, particularly in combating corruption and money laundering and promoting the effectiveness of justice.