Commission for Local Cross-Border Cooperation between France and Monaco - Monaco, 15 March 2022 - Joint Press Release

©Direction de la Communication / Manuel Vitali

The Commission for Local Cross-Border Cooperation between France and Monaco met for its tenth meeting on 15 March 2022 in Monaco.

This commission was created in 2005 and meets annually, alternating between Monaco and Nice.  Its role is to deal with joint local issues affecting France, the relevant local authorities neighbouring Monaco (the PACA Regional Council, Alpes-Maritimes Departmental Council, Nice-Côte d'Azur Metropolis, French Riviera Agglomeration Community and neighbouring municipalities) and the Principality of Monaco, particularly in the fields of regional planning, housing and mobility, the environment, and health and social affairs.  At this meeting, means of strengthening cross-border cooperation are also studied.  The commission is fully aligned with bilateral relations characterised by a "common destiny."

The meeting was co-chaired, on the French side, by H.E. Mr. Laurent Stefanini, Ambassador of France to Monaco, and Mr. Bernard Gonzalez, Prefect of the Alpes-Maritimes, and, on the Monegasque side, by H.E. Mr Pierre Dartout, Minister of State of the Principality of Monaco.

The French delegation* was comprised of representatives of the State services, the French Embassy in Monaco and elected officials.  The Monegasque delegation** included Government Ministers from the Principality and senior civil servants.

The commission gave an update on the issue of housing for working people and noted the need to examine all possible avenues in depth.

It also discussed transport initiatives, with, at the forefront, the development of rail transport and maritime shuttles as an alternative, innovative mode of transport.  Development projects designed to improve traffic flow and safety (improvements to safety in the Rainier III tunnel, improving traffic on the Moyenne Corniche road, the construction of dissuasive parking spaces and the development of the Brasca site) were also addressed.

The discussions also covered health and social affairs and, in particular the project for a day hospital for children, the result of a partnership between France, the Principality of Monaco and the Lenval Foundation.  An update was given on the subject of the secondment of employees and the situation of non-EU workers with regard to the right to residence.

The two delegations then discussed issues relating to the private transport of persons (taxis, chauffeur-driven care hire and luxury chauffeur-driven vehicles) and agreed to identify a balanced and sustainable solution.

Finally, with regard to cross-border cooperation, the commission addressed issues related to the supply and management of drinking water, and waste, among other topics.

The work of the local cross-border commission took place in a very positive spirit and with a shared concern to develop projects for the benefit of the French and Monegasques. Inter-state subjects will be the focus of discussions within the framework of the Franco-Monegasque cooperation commission to be held in Paris during 2022.

* The French delegation was comprised of:

Mr. Laurent Stefanini, Ambassador of France to Monaco;  Mr. Philippe Voiry, Ambassador for intergovernmental commissions, cooperation and border issues;  Mr. Bernard Gonzalez, Prefect of the Alpes-Maritimes;  Mr. Philippe Loos, Secretary General of the Prefecture;  Ms. Carine Roussel, Sub-Prefect of Nice-Montagne;  Ms. Laurence Boetti-Forestier, Regional Councillor for cross-border relations, representing the President of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur Region;  Mr. Patrick Cesari, Mayor of Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, Vice-President of the Alpes-Maritimes Departmental Council, representing the President of the Departmental Council;  Mr. François Daure, Councillor for the City of Nice and Metropolitan Councillor, representing the President of the Nice-Côte-d'Azur Metropolis (MNCA);  Mr. Yves Juhel, Mayor of Menton, President of the French Riviera Conurbation Community (CARF);  Mr. Xavier Beck, Mayor of Cap d'Ail;  Mr. Jean-Jacques Raffaele, Mayor of La Turbie;  and Mr. Gérard Spinelli, Mayor of Beausoleil.

** The Monegasque delegation was comprised of:

H.E. Mr. Pierre Dartout, Minister of State; Mr. Jean Castellini, Minister of Finance and Economy;  Mr. Didier Gamerdinger, Minister of Health and Social Affairs;  Ms. Céline Caron-Dagioni, Minister of Public Works, the Environment and Urban Development;  Ms. Isabelle Berro-Amadeï, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation;  Mr. Marc Vassallo, Secretary General of the Government;  Mr. Christophe Prat, Director General of the Ministry of Interior; Ms. Laurence Garino, Chief of Cabinet of H.E. the Minister of State;  Mr. Jean-Marie Veran, Special Adviser to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation;  Mr. Samy Touati, Secretary General of the Ministry of Public Works, the Environment and Urban Development.