Prince Albert II met with Alain Berset, Secretary General of the Council of Europe, at the Princely Palace on Wednesday 8 April 2026.
The exchanges focused on major European issues “in particular the promotion of human rights, democracy and the rule of law, which form the basis of the Council of Europe’s work,” states a recent press release by the Princely Government. The meeting also highlighted the priorities of the Principality on the subjects of human rights and democracy, in the context of its upcoming Presidency of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe.
For the first time since its accession, the Principality of Monaco will assume the presidency of the Committee of Ministers for the Council of Europe from mid-May to mid-November 2026, after the Republic of Moldova and before Montenegro. Chairing the Committee is one of the responsibilities of each Member State of the Council of Europe. The 46 member states take on the Presidency of the Committee of Ministers for the Council of Europe for a period of six months in turn (in English alphabetical order). The Presidency changes in May and November each year.
During its Presidency of the Committee, Monaco intends to “continue and strengthen its commitment to multilateralism, dialogue between states and the defence of the fundamental values that unite European nations,” states a press release by the Princely Government.
At the end of this meeting, the Sovereign elevated the Alain Berset to the rank of Commander of the Order of Saint Charles.
Prince Albert II spoke to Mr. Berset in the presence of Olivier Wenden, Chief of Staff and HE Gabriel Revel, Ambassador of Monaco to the Council of Europe. The Secretary-General of the Council of Europe was also accompanied by Natacha de Roeck, Deputy Director of the Cabinet of the Secretariat-General and Thibault Curmi, Counsellor in the same Cabinet. Isabelle Berro-Amadei, Advisor to the Government – Minister of Foreign Relations and Cooperation was also in attendance.
