Commission for Franco-Monegasque Cooperation (Paris, 10 October 2022) - Joint press release

Photo caption (from left to right): Mr Patrice Cellario, Minister of the Interior; Ms Céline Caron-Dagioni, Minister of Public Works, the Environment and Urban Development; Mr Jean Castellini, Minister of Finance and Economy; Mr Bernard Gonzalez, Prefect of the Alpes-Maritimes; H.E. Mr Laurent Stefanini, French Ambassador to Monaco; H.E. Mr Pierre Dartout, Minister of State; Ms Anne-Marie Descotes, Secretary-General of the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs; H.E. Mr Christophe Steiner, Monaco’s Ambassador to France; Mr Christophe Robino, Minister of Health and Social Affairs; Ms Isabelle Berro-Amadeï, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation.

 

The Commission for Franco-Monegasque Cooperation met in Paris on 10 October 2022. Established in 2002, in the spirit of the “common destiny” shared by the two countries, the Commission meets annually, alternating between Paris and Monaco. It serves as a framework for regular consultation on issues of national interest and steers bilateral cooperation in a number of areas.

The meeting was co-chaired by H.E. Ms Anne-Marie Descotes, Secretary-General of the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, and H.E. Mr Pierre Dartout, Minister of State of the Principality of Monaco. It was attended by H.E. Mr Laurent Stefanini, the French Ambassador to Monaco, and H.E. Mr Christophe Steiner, Monaco’s Ambassador to France. The French delegation^[i] was made up of representatives from departments involved in relations with Monaco. The Monegasque delegation^[ii] comprised members of the Prince’s Government and staff from the relevant ministries.

During the meeting, progress in the negotiations between the Principality and the European Commission on an association agreement between Monaco and the European Union was discussed. As negotiations enter into a new, positive phase, the two countries reaffirmed the need for the future draft association agreement to take account of the features which make Monaco unique, while respecting the integrity of the single market. They also confirmed their commitment to maintaining the provisions of a number of Franco–Monegasque agreements that are useful for close cooperation between the nations. France noted its support for Monaco during these negotiations and the Commission’s objective of reaching agreement by the end of 2023.

The agenda also included strengthening cooperation between France and Monaco in the area of security, in terms of both training and operational cooperation. The delegations noted the strengthening of customs cooperation, the development of cooperation on maritime security and the work to prevent road traffic offences.

Following on from the Commission for Local Cross-Border Cooperation meeting on 15 March 2022, the Commission discussed issues relating to transport and housing in the Franco-Monegasque region, which affect the many employees who work in the Principality every day and would benefit from being understood as part of a comprehensive, structured approach.

The two countries also spoke about their shared determination to find a balanced, sustainable solution that would meet all of the needs of those working in the private passenger transport industry (taxis, private car hire, chauffeur-driven vehicles). The delegations also covered issues relating to mobile phone networks and confirmed their intent to sign an agreement improving security in the Rainier III Tunnel, which links Monaco to France, very soon.

On health and social affairs, the Commission was pleased to note the good cooperation on combatting COVID-19 and monkeypox. The Commission discussed the work being done in the area of social security, which is aimed at establishing an appropriate and lasting mechanism for coordination and cooperation. Access for French employees to benefits and training in the event of unemployment, and funding for partial layoff measures were discussed. The two countries decided to enter into a more in-depth dialogue on issues relating to health, including digital health, social affairs and employment.

The delegations also discussed the international context and the consequences of Russian aggression against Ukraine, as well as cooperation to protect the environment and the oceans, and within the French-speaking world. Here, France welcomed Monaco’s membership of TV5 Monde, which was made official in late 2021.

The two delegations agreed to convene for the next session of the Franco-Monegasque Commission in Monaco in 2023.

1 French delegation:

Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs

-          Ms Anne-Marie Descotes, Secretary-General of the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs;

-          Mr Laurent Stefanini, French Ambassador to Monaco;

-          Ms Isabelle Perot, Deputy Director for Mediterranean Europe, European Union and Mediterranean Europe Directorate;

-          Mr Vincent Astoux, Chief of Staff to the Secretary-General of the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs;

-          Mr Mathieu Schuster, number two at the French Embassy in Monaco; 

-          Mr Lucas Gardenal, Policy Officer, Sub-Directorate for Mediterranean Europe, European Union and Mediterranean Europe Directorate;

-          Mr Alexandre Billaud-Curvale, Policy Officer, Sub-Directorate for Mediterranean Europe, European Union and Mediterranean Europe Directorate;

-          Mr Vincent Yanelle, Policy Officer, Sub-Directorate for Internal Policies and Institutional Issues;

Alpes-Maritimes Prefecture

-          Mr Bernard Gonzalez, Prefect.

Ministry of Sport and the Olympic and Paralympic Games

-          Mr Mathieu Charpentier, Advisor to the Minister’s Office, with responsibility for professional sport, the sports economy, e-sport, and the digital and environmental transition.

Ministry for Solidarity and Health

-          Mr Antoine Saint-Denis, Representative of the Social Sector Ministries for European and International Affairs;

-          Ms Anne-Gaëlle Casandjian, Head of the EU and International Affairs Division of the Social Security Directorate, Ministry of Health and Prevention;

-          Ms Rachel Becuwe, Head of Department, General Office for Employment and Vocational Training, Ministry of Labour, Employment and Economic Inclusion; 

-          Ms Nina Prunier, Head of the Office for Individual Labour Relations, Ministry of Labour, Employment and Economic Inclusion;

-          Ms Elodie Boceno, Deputy Head of Office, General Directorate for Labour, Ministry of Labour, Employment and Economic Inclusion;

-          Mr Romann Datus, Project Leader, Office of the Social Sector Ministries for European and International Affairs;

-          Mrs Gabrielle Dubois, Directorate-General for Healthcare Provision, Ministry of Health and Prevention;

Ministry of the Interior

-          Mr Luis Fernandez, Project Leader, Directorate for European and International Affairs;

-          Mr Frédéric Mac Kain, Project Leader, Directorate for European and International Affairs, Ministry of the Interior;

Interministerial Office for Road Safety

-          Ms Florence Guillaume, Interministerial Officer for Road Safety;

-          Mr Joël Valmain, Technical Advisor (Europe and International).

Mediterranean Maritime Prefecture for Government Action at Sea

-          Mr Thierry de la Burgade, General Commissioner, Deputy to the Mediterranean Maritime Prefect for Government Action at Sea

Ministry of the Economy, Finance, and Industrial and Digital Sovereignty

-          Mr Gabriel Cumenge, Deputy Director for Banks and Public Interest Investment, General Directorate of the Treasury;

-          Mr Alain Lefebvre, Head of the Legal Affairs and Litigation Office, General Directorate for Customs and Indirect Taxes;

-          Ms Lenaig Catz, Director of Digital Coverage and Frequency Projects, General Directorate for Business;

-          Mr Bastien Le Bars, Deputy Head of the Banking Affairs Office, General Directorate for the Treasury;

-          Mr Jérôme André, Deputy Head of the Europe 3 Office, General Directorate for the Treasury;

-          Ms Sofiane Turki, Digital Coverage and Frequency Project Manager, General Directorate for Business;

Ministry for Ecological Transition and Territorial Cohesion

-          Ms Aude Charrie, Deputy Director for European Action, Directorate for European and International Affairs;

-          Ms Sarah Russeil, Head of Public and Private Transport Office, General Directorate for Infrastructure, Transport and Mobility;

-          Mr Lionel Kaniewski, Head of the Road Transport Employment Law Office, General Directorate for Infrastructure, Transport and Mobility;

-          Ms Pauline Delmas, Europe and International Team, General Directorate for Infrastructure, Transport and Mobility;

-          Ms Ghislaine de Hartingh-Boca, Bilateral Follow-up Manager, European Action Sub-Directorate;

Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation 

-          Mr Jérôme Teillard, Inspector General of Education, Sport and Research, project leader for the “Reform of access to higher education – Parcoursup” project

General Secretariat for European Affairs

-          Mr Emmanuel Chay, Head of the Economy and Finance Office

-          Ms Caroline Delassade, Deputy Head of the Trade and Development Aid Office

2 Monegasque delegation:

-          H.E. Mr Pierre Dartout, Minister of State

-          Mr Jean Castellini, Minister of Finance and Economy

-          Mr Patrice Cellario, Minister of the Interior

-          Ms Céline Caron-Dagioni, Minister of Public Works, the Environment and Urban Development

-          Ms Isabelle Berro-Amadeï, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation

-          Mr Christophe Robino, Minister of Health and Social Affairs

-          H.E. Mr Gilles Tonelli, Ambassador and Special Advisor for Negotiations with the European Union

-          H.E. Mr Christophe Steiner, Ambassador of Monaco to France

-          Mr Marc Vassallo, Secretary-General of the Government

-          Ms Laurence Garino, Chief of Staff to H.E. the Minister of State

-          Mr Frédéric Genta, Country Chief Officer for Attractiveness and the Digital Transition

-          Ms Ludmilla Raconnat le Goff, Director-General of the Ministry of Health and Social Affairs

-          Mr Sébastien Siccardi, Director-General of the Ministry of Public Works, the Environment and Urban Development

-          Ms Valérie Bruell-Melchior, Minister Counsellor at Monaco’s Embassy in France