Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters 2018 and other Monaco news

All areas of life in Monaco saw some developments last week: politics, sports, gastronomy and environment and here we selected for you the most interesting news, in case you missed them.

Announcing the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters 2018

Big announcements about the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters 2018 were recently unveiled by Zeljko Franulovic, Tournament Director in the America Hall at the Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort. Organized by SMETT (Société Monegasque pour l’Exploitation du Tournoi de Tennis) from 14 to 22 April, in the prestigious Monte-Carlo Country Club, the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 will be the first major European tournament of the season.

ASM: Official Meeting between Roca Team and the Government

The management team and players from AS Monaco Basket were invited to the Minister of State’s residence to discuss the partnership agreement between the Government and the basketball team in terms of governance and communication. Topics included: supporting the Club’s sports project, how the team conveys the “Monaco” ethos with its competitors, as well as with the national and international basketball governing bodies.

Monaco Election Results: Stephane Valeri and Primo! Sweep 21 out of 24 Seats in the National Council

The results are in following the vote by 5097 Monegasques for the 24 seats in the National Council. That is a participation by 70.35% (74.4% in 2013) of those allowed to vote, greater than typical of other western European countries.

The results are conclusive for the Party “(Priorite Monaco) Primo!” whose leader Stephane Valeri led a well-oiled campaign and is now destined to be President of the National Council when his election as leader will be carried out shortly. He will formally replace Christophe Steiner.

Gastronomy: The New Riviera Menu at Louis XV

Alain Ducasse’s restaurant at the Hotel de Paris’ Louis XV has a new menu inspired by the Riviera. Recipes, products, flavours and colours pay tribute to the unique region.

Chef Dominique Lory describes blending flavours of the Mediterranean with seasonal products from the Riviera. The Riviera Menu currently includes, for example, red piedmont squash and black truffles which come from Var. The red squash season is coming to a close and it is a beautiful entré for the Riviera Menu.

Best Wine List in France: not far from Monaco

It’s always a treat to visit La Turbie. One of the pleasures of living in Monaco is the ease with which one transports oneself from the refined glitz of Monte-Carlo to the French countryside, shop in outside markets in a relaxed setting and dine to perfection – and “a la medieval” adds to the charm.

There are now three clarion calls pulling us to La Turbie, the medieval charm and French country market ambiance being just one. Do you look to go dining as an excuse to search for the best wine? Did you know that in La Turbie you can find one of the best wine lists in all of France!

Monaco Pens its Approval for Mediterranean Alps as a Candidate for the Unesco World Heritage List

The Principality of Monaco, together with Italy, in January 2018, signed the application for the inclusion of the territory known as “the Mediterranean Alps” to be included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. France has also completed its signing too which makes it a  tripartite signing from three countries, Monaco, Italy and France.

New director of Judicial Services cleans out Monaco’s Justice System

Laurent Anselmi, Monaco’s new director of judicial services, is committed to restoring nobility to the principality’s justice system after it was tainted by the Rybolovlev case. A lawyer trained in France and appointed by Prince Albert, Laurent Anselmi swears that the magistrates will now be independent.  Laurent Anselmi’s first decision was not to renew any of the French magistrates who were stationed in Monaco. The decision will force the departure of most of the French judges positioned in Monaco, including Judge Edouard Levrault, who is working with a Monegasque judge on the Rybolovlev case and who’s position will not be renewed in September 2019.

At the beginning of October 2017, Laurent Anselmi replaced Philippe Narmino, who was forced to resign because of his close proximity to Russian oligarch Dmitri Rybolovlev, in the heart of a resounding scandal. The billionaire and owner of AS Monaco, is suspected of having manipulated the Monegasque judicial system to benefit himself. Laurent Anselmi now hopes to elevate the principality’s justice system to European standards.

The Principality’s media library showcases artists from Nice

A conference on the theme of ‘The School of Nice’ led by Frédéric Altmann, was held at the Louis Notari Library in the Principality. It was followed by the opening of an exhibition entitled ‘The School of Nice’, which is currently displaying collections from the Patrimonial Monegasque Fund. Through the works on display, dozens of artists have been honoured, including Arman, César, Yves Klein and Ben. According to Frédéric Altmann, the Monegasque adoption of the history of the School of Nice was sparked by the artist Ben.

New National Museum of Monaco Collection acquired with the support of UBS Monaco

On the third floor of Villa Paloma, the New National Museum of Monaco is presenting an exhibition of recent acquisitions made with the support of UBS Monaco. 11 of the works are on display and 19 pieces were acquired through the partnership. UBS has been supporting NMNM exhibitions for the past 6 years as part of its commitment to sustaining national collections of contemporary art. The exhibition is one of the highlights of the NMNM’s 2018 program.

MIE signs a five-year partnership with CMB

Albert Croesi, Managing Director of Monaco Inter Expo (MIE) and Etienne Franzi, President of the Compagnie Monégasque de Banque (CMB), signed a partnership, in the presence of Gilles Tonelli, Government Counsellor-Minister of Finance. The partnership between MIE and the CMB has grown since the Astana EXPO-2017.  The Monegasque bank wishes to become more involved with promoting the influence of the Principality locally and beyond.

MIE’s mission is to promote the image of Monaco abroad and to organize events in the Principality, the first of which, entitled ‘Meeting of the Grimaldi Historic Sites of Monaco’ will take place in June 2018.

Monaco participates in exchange between United Nations and Council of Europe

A Monegasque delegation participated in an exchange of views between the Council of Europe and the United Nations, concerning human rights, held in Strasbourg on 15 February. Organized every year, this exchange aims at enabling experts from different capitals to discuss ways to improve the strategic collaboration between the Strasbourg Organization and the UN bodies.

A thematic discussion on the protection of migrant children gave the Principality the opportunity to highlight its international commitment, both political and financial, to the rights of children, particularly in the context of the migration crisis.