Alain BERSET, Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Visits Monaco

Alain Berset, Secretary General of the Council of Europe, visited the Principality on 8 and 9 April in preparation for Monaco’s forthcoming Presidency of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, which the Principality will hold from 15 May to 10 November 2026.

He was granted an audience with H.S.H. the Sovereign Prince. He also met with Mr Thomas Brezzo, President of the National Council, and Mr Samuel Vuelta Simon, Secretary of State for Justice. These exchanges provided an opportunity to reaffirm the Principality’s longstanding commitment to the promotion of human rights, the rule of law and democracy, which constitute the core values of the Council of Europe.

The Secretary General also addressed the annual diplomatic conference bringing together Monaco’s Ambassadors. On that occasion, he highlighted the major challenges facing the Council of Europe in a changing geopolitical context, while underscoring the close and trust-based relationship between Monaco and the Organisation.

A joint press conference with Ms Isabelle Berro-Amadeï, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, also provided an opportunity to present the priorities of Monaco’s Presidency of the Committee of Ministers, which will be guided by a clear overarching theme: “Protecting everyone, through an effective Organisation, in response to contemporary challenges.”

During his visit, Alain Berset also met with nearly 150 Monaco secondary school students as part of an exchange on the future of democracy in Europe. The discussion covered key issues including disinformation, conflicts in Europe and the impact of new technologies on democratic societies.

This visit reflected the convergence of views between Monaco and the Council of Europe, as well as the Principality’s full commitment to upholding and promoting the Organisation’s core values during its Presidency.