Prince Albert II welcomes Alain Berset in Monaco ahead of Monaco’s presidency of the Council of Europe

The Sovereign has elevated the Secretary General of the Council of Europe to the rank of Commander of the Order of Saint Charles, just a few weeks ahead of a historic milestone for the Principality.

Prince Albert II received Alain Berset at the Prince’s Palace on Wednesday 8 April, in the presence of Chief of Staff Olivier Wenden, Minister for External Relations Isabelle Berro-Amadeï and Ambassador Gabriel Revel, Monaco’s Permanent Representative to the Council of Europe.

The two men discussed human rights, democracy and the rule of law, as Monaco prepares to chair the Committee of Ministers from 15 May to 10 November 2026. This marks a first since the Principality joined the organisation in 2004. “The governmental aspect will take centre stage, but there will be real parliamentary implications as parliamentarians from other countries are likely to accompany their ministerial delegations,” Fabrice Notari, Chair of the National Council’s Committee on External Relations, told Monaco Tribune last December. “We intend to raise issues close to our hearts, namely the rights of women and children. Some countries applying for membership of the Council of Europe are seeking our support. This will be an opportunity to explore the possibilities, even if the process is likely to be a long one.”

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Following the audience, Prince Albert II appointed Alain Berset as a Commander of the Order of Saint Charles.

The ‘grey list’ on the agenda at the National Council

Earlier in the day, the Secretary General had been welcomed to the National Council by its President, Thomas Brezzo, and members of the Monegasque delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE). Discussions focused primarily on the process of removing Monaco from the FATF’s grey list, with the elected representatives detailing the legislative work carried out to address the recommendations of the Moneyval report. Alain Berset praised the involvement of Monegasque parliamentarians within the PACE, citing Béatrice Fresko-Rolfo’s chairmanship of the Committee on Equality and Non-Discrimination and the role of General Rapporteur on the Budget entrusted to Christophe Brico.