From Japan to Panama: Prince Albert II welcomes five new ambassadors to Monaco

On Tuesday, the Sovereign received the credentials of the representatives of Japan, Lesotho, Georgia, Montenegro and Panama.

Diplomatic protocol was in full swing on Tuesday 7 April at the Prince’s Palace. Following the reception of the ambassadors from Benin, Estonia, Kuwait, Norway and Hungary last week, Prince Albert II officially welcomed five new ambassadors extraordinary and plenipotentiary: Suzuki Hideo (Japan), Mafelile Christina Molala (Lesotho), Irakli Kurashvili (Georgia), Dubravka Lalović (Montenegro) and Joanna Villarreal Rodriguez (Panama). By presenting their credentials, these diplomats formally begin their mission to the Principality.

The economic dimension at the heart of the discussions

The political discussions continued over lunch at the Hermitage, chaired by Isabelle Berro-Amadeï, Government Councillor and Minister for External Relations and Cooperation. Notably, alongside the Honorary Consuls of Japan, Georgia and Montenegro, the Attractiveness Unit and the Monaco Economic Board were also represented at the table. This is a clear signal of Monaco’s desire to forge links that go beyond the strictly consular framework and to explore avenues for commercial and investment cooperation with these five countries. From the Pacific to Latin America, from Southern Africa to the Caucasus via the Balkans, the geographical spread of these accreditations illustrates the extent of Monaco’s diplomatic network.