Day: 9 November 2016

Pedro Agramunt, President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) paid an official visit to Monaco last week on November 3 and 4.
He was received in audience by HSH Prince Albert II and had a meeting with Mr Gilles Tonelli, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation.
During their meeting, Mr Agramunt and Mr Tonelli addressed the major challenges Europe is facing with regard to safeguarding the values of democracy and respect for human rights facing the migration crisis and threat of terrorism.
The PACE president presented to the Government Minister Counsellor the new campaign launched by the Parliamentary Assembly ” #NoHateNoFear “, which aims to encourage all players in society to stand firm against the terrorist threat “by refusing to give in to hatred or fear”.
The pair also discussed conflicts in Europe and the role of the Parliamentary Assembly in maintaining the dialogue between parties.
PACE is the deliberative body of the Council of Europe, composed of 324 parliamentarians from 47 parliaments of member states of the Council of Europe. A forum for discussion, PACE debates European and international events in terms of respect and protection of human rights, democracy and rule of law.
READ ALSO: First official visit by Council of Europe
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Baku hosted a business forum between entrepreneurs of Azerbaijan and Monaco on November 7.
Three documents were signed during the event.
The Memorandum on Mutual Cooperation was signed by the Azerbaijan Export & Investment Promotion Foundation (Azpromo), the Chamber of Commerce of Azerbaijan, and the Economic Chamber of Monaco.
AzAlternativEnerji LLC (under the State Agency for Alternative & Renewable Energy of Azerbaijan) and the Chamber of Renewable Energy & Ecology of Monaco signed the Protocol of Intentions.
READ MORE: Director of the European Azerbaijan Society signs partnership with Peace and Sport

Regarding an article about Fairmont hotel employees walking off the job November 7 in response to a colleague’s dismissal over the theft of a 72-cent toothbrush and some pastries, as published by Monaco Life on Monday evening, the Fairmont hotel management has issued an official statement in French and English:
“Further to the article appeared in Monaco Hebdo of November 3rd, 2016 containing the declaration made by the Labour Union of Cooks and Pastry Cooks of Monaco, the Management of the hotel Fairmont Monte Carlo wishes to bring some additional information which is not mentioned in the publication.
On October 6th, 2016, within the framework of unannounced controls and as the internal rules of the establishment require it, a security guard of the hotel asked an employee at the end of service who was leaving the hotel, to open both bags that he carried. This is a simple routine check, known and accepted by all the employees. 

well-hidden in the bags of the employee, the agent found articles that had been stolen from within the hotel, indicating the intention in the act. It is false to say that these articles are put at the disposal of the employees of the hotel because they are reserved for the clientele. 

Having listened to the explanations of the employee, these deceitful actions were considered as a serious misconduct by the Management, resulting in the employee’s dismissal. The employer cannot tolerate such thefts among his 530 employees.”
READ ALSO: Nobel Peace Prize winner to speak at Peace and Sport Forum
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Students with Monegasque nationality, up to age 30, can now, in addition to scholarships, apply for state aid to finance training for a higher education diploma or qualification in the country in which it is offered.
This student aid loan, set up by the Government of Monaco, is governed by Law No. 1.425 of May 6, 2016, which was published in the “Journal Officiel” No. 8277 May 13, 2016, concerning the creation of financial assistance by the state to facilitate student loan access.
Specifically, the state is guarantor of the loan contracted by the student with a government-regulated bank. The student can either repay the loan during the course of his studies or once they have been completed. Only the capital borrowed is to be repaid, interest and incidental amounts are entirely covered by the state.
This state assistance can be requested at any time during the academic year. The request may be examined by a Commission to determine whether the loan can be granted according to the nature of the higher education diploma or qualification.
More information about the documents required is specified in the Ministerial Order N° 2016-572 of September 16, 2016, and can be found at the following links:
http://service-public-particuliers.gouv.mc/Education/Allocations-aides-etbourses/
http://www.lycee-albert1er.mc
http://www.fanb.mc/lycee.html
http://www.lycee-technique.mc
READ ALSO: IUM launches “Bachelor of Finance”

Opened since July 18, the Albert II tunnel has helped alleviate traffic on the Jardin Exotique-blvd Rainier III thoroughfare.
A study was commissioned by the Department of Urban Planning and Mobility (DPUM) to understand exactly the extent of the tunnel’s positive impact.
“To assess the redistribution of traffic flows, surveys were conducted specifically during the month of September, during term time, at a particularly busy period for the traffic, “says Séverine Canis-Froidefond, DPUM Director.
The results show that in the morning rush hour, 680 vehicles/hour use the tunnel. This figure represents 58% of traffic coming from the west of the Principality. Traffic along blvd du Jardin Exotique has declined significantly (500 vehicles/hour) or 42% of total traffic.
Traffic is distributed as follows: Cap d’Ail: 13%; Fontvieille via link Marquet: 49%; Canton Roundabouts: 38%.
During evening rush hour, the tunnel facilitates 310 vehicles/hour, that is 43% traffic coming from the west of Monaco, while blvd du Jardin Exotique has 410 vehicles/hour, or 57% of total traffic. Presumably the evening traffic is less associated with workers.
At the exit of the Albert II tunnel, traffic is distributed as follows: Cap d’Ail: 13%; Fontvieille via link Marquet: 39%; Canton Roundabouts: 48%.
“I am delighted with these results. They show that the Albert II tunnel fully meets the objectives that had been set for its completion. Regarding the accessibility of the Principality upstream from this tunnel, we are working closely with the French authorities to create the conditions to allow for improvement,” says Marie-Pierre Gramaglia, Minister of Public Works, the Environment and Urban Development.
The tunnel entrance is located on blvd du Jardin Exotique and exits on blvd Charles III.
READ MORE: Prince inaugurates fast connection tunnel
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On November 8, in Vienna, Monaco signed a funding agreement with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
HE Ms Isabelle Berro-Amadei, Ambassador, Permanent Representative of Principality of Monaco to the UNODC and Mr Jean-Luc Lemahieu, the organisation’s Director of Policy Analysis and Public Affairs, signed a two-year funding agreement for 2016-2017, to help the Sahel countries – Burkina Faso, Mali, Mauritania and Niger – develop their criminal justice systems in the fight against terrorism and violent extremism.
This program is part of ongoing Monegasque actions within the UNODC and, in general, continuous efforts of the Government of Monaco in this scourge.
READ ALSO: Monaco outlines sustainable mission at UN