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Month: February 2021

King recognises Monaco’s Ambassador to Spain  

by: Stephanie Horsman
03/02/2021

Catherine Fautrier-Rousseau is officially the new Ambassador to Spain after presenting her Letters of Credence to the country’s king at the Royal Palace in Madrid.

Catherine Fautrier-Rousseau took on the role in October in 2020, but the deal was sealed on 29th January when she met with Spanish King Felipe VI to give him her Letters of Credence and officially take up her post.

The ceremony took place at the Royal Palace and was followed by a private interview between the King, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, Arancha Gonzales Laya and Ms Fautrier-Rousseau.

Amongst the various issues discussed, the topic of the health crisis was most prevalent, with both sides speaking of the consequences linked to it.

Protection of the environment was also a top issue in terms of the challenges for future generations as well as what points of collaboration could be carried out between Monaco and Spain.

King Felipe VI, who is interested in the impact of pollution on ecosystems and on urban populations, asked specific questions relating to the Principality’s energy transition programme, noting the Ambassador’s expertise would be welcome on the matter. 

Common ground was also found in relation to protection of the Mediterranean. This opened up the chance for the Ambassador to discuss the commemorations in 2022 of the 100 year anniversary of the death of Prince Albert I and the friendships he maintained with the Crown of Spain throughout his reign. Several events will therefore be organised on Spanish soil.

Finally, both sides agreed they would be happy to continue to strengthen ties between the two nations.

 
Related stories:

Catherine Fautrier speaks about new life in Madrid

 

Photo: King of Spain Felipe VI and H.E. Catherine Fautrier-Rousseau, Casa de S.M. el Rey

 
 

Online bookings for vehicle inspections

by: Cassandra Tanti
03/02/2021

Organising a vehicle inspection, or Control Technique, just became a lot easier in Monaco with the launch of an online booking service as part of the Extended Monaco program.
The initiative falls in line with the government’s aim of introducing new online procedures to simplify the daily lives of Monegasques, residents and professionals.
Four months before the expiry date of a Control Technique, the vehicle owner will receive a letter in which three alternatives are offered: Return a detachable payment slip by mail with a cheque; Go to the Vehicle Technical Control Centre to make an appointment and pay directly; Or connect to https://teleservice.gouv.mc/controle-technique. This last option offers several new services including the ability to select a time and date for an appointment according to availability, make payments online, and an email or SMS reminder about the appointment.
“11,000 technical inspections are carried out on average each year at the Vehicle Technical Control Centre,”revealed Aurélie Peri, Head of the Traffic Permits Department. “The launch of this new tool allows us to offer a more personalised service to owners of vehicles registered in the Principality who will have visibility over all the available options and, without having to travel, will be able to choose the one that suits them best and modify it in a few clicks if necessary.”
 
Photo source: Pixabay
 

Covid tightens its grip on Monaco

by: Cassandra Tanti
02/02/2021

Monaco’s Covid fatality rate continues its upward spiral, with the death of three elderly residents in 24 hours and 44 new cases.
The latest victims were aged 82, 90 and 92.
In revealing the deaths on Tuesday evening, Health Minister Pierre Dartout said that he “deplores the heavy toll”, adding, “On behalf of the Princely Government, I would like to extend our sincere condolences to the families and relatives of these people. We assure them of the full support of the Princely Government at these times of great sadness for the entire national community.”
It brings Monaco’s Covid fatality rate since the pandemic began to 17. Three deaths occurred in all of 2020, 10 fatalities took place in January, and four deaths have been recorded in the first two days of February.
As a result, Monaco’s fatality rate has risen slightly to 1.1%.
Meanwhile, the number of Covid cases has also jumped in the Principality. There were 44 new positives on Tuesday 2nd February, bringing the overall total to 1,543.
Currently, 62 people are being taken care of at the Princess Grace Hospital Centre: 52 patients including 34 residents are hospitalised. In addition, 10 people, including five residents, are being treated in intensive care.
There have been 12 more Covid recoveries bringing that total to 1,295, while 127 Covid-positive residents with mild symptoms are being cared for by the Home Monitoring Centre.
 
 

Watch the Prince take part in the first Ocean Decade event

by: Stephanie Horsman
02/02/2021

Prince Albert will be speaking on Wednesday at ‘A Brave New Ocean’, a high-level virtual event kickstarting the Decade of the Ocean. The aim: to rally countries behind the creation of a sustainable Blue Economy.
Decade of the Ocean will run from 2021 to 2030 has been organised by the UNESCO Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission and aims to highlight the immense challenges and opportunities the ocean provides.
According to the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development website, the global initiative is looking to “deepen our scientific knowledge of the sea and create the ocean we want. Its ambition is to generate the knowledge we need to achieve a world where biodiversity flourishes, and the ocean plays a central role in the drive for sustainable, fair development of our planet as we tackle the realities of climate change.”
The first digital event, ‘A Brave New Ocean’, gathers together world leaders, UN agencies, philanthropists and marine scientists and will draw on the real-life experiences of sailors, including Seaexplorer-Yacht Club de Monaco skipper Boris Herrmann of the recently-completed Vendée Globe, who have gathered information on their ocean travels for scientists.
Videos, speeches – such as the one being given by the Sovereign Prince, and live panel discussions will punctuate the event, helping those involved to set out a game plan for the next decade to improve ocean health.
The first part of Wednesday’s event will celebrate those who are already doing extraordinary things to help the oceans, identifying “tangible ways a healthy, resilient ocean can contribute to a blue recovery in a post-Covid-19 world.” The second half will be dedicated to how more positive change can be brought about.
The event will be broadcast on 3rd February at 4:10pm on YouTube at https://youtu.be/rtriyb3KTig and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/oceandecade/posts/238628807981299 or  https://www.facebook.com/IocUnesco/posts/10164936803250473
 
 

Explained: new rules on travelling to France

by: Cassandra Tanti
02/02/2021

Monaco residents travelling beyond 30 kilometres from their home must now produce a negative PCR test if controlled by authorities in France. But the National Council is fighting the move, calling on the Monegasque government to have the Principality excluded from the restriction. 
Both the French government and Monegasque government began listing the 30-kilometre requirement on their websites on 1st February. It comes amid a range of new measures in France to stem the growing tide of coronavirus cases, including the closure of large shopping centres and sealing its borders to non-EU travellers.
But new travel restrictions have also been placed on people travelling within the European space, including those in the Principality of Monaco.
It means that a journey to the Valberg slopes or a trip to a second home in the Var comes with strict new requirements.
The French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs states on its website that: “All travellers, irrespective of their means of transport (by air, sea or land), aged 11 years and over and who wish to enter France from a country in the European space (European Union, Andorra, the Holy See, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway, San Marino and Switzerland) must present the results of a virology test (RT-PCR) taken within 72 hours prior to departure and that does not identify Covid-19 contamination.”
Previously, only those arriving by sea or air were required to show a negative PCR test. Now it is a blanket rule. To back this up, the Interior Minister of France, Gérald Darmanin, has told police to step up patrols at train stations and main road border crossings.
The Monaco government has also updated its travel information, stating: “Concretely, a resident of the Principality wishing to go beyond 30km from their home (for example to Auron or Valberg for the weekend) will have to present the negative result of a PCR test of less than 72 hours in the event of a control unless you have a compelling reason.”
Those who are traveling with a compelling reason, must complete the following form:
https://www.interieur.gouv.fr/Actualites/L-actu-du-Ministere/Attestations-de-deplacement-couvre-feu
Hauliers, cross-border workers and residents living within a 30-kilometre radius of a border area are exempt from the PCR test obligation.
National Council calls for exemption
But on Tuesday evening, the National Council released a statement saying that it has been approached by many residents who are upset about the restriction, adding that it shares their disappointment.
“These provisions, which are not reciprocal for the French in the other direction, appear indeed incomprehensible, in view of the neighbourly relations between the two States, and the geographical integration of the Principality within the department of the Alpes-Maritimes,” the statement reads.
The National Council says it has written to Minister of State Pierre Dartout that he make a request with the French authorities that Monaco be excluded from the 30-kilometre rule.
Non-essential travel not recommended
Regardless, the Prince’s Government is recommending its citizens avoid all non-essential travel to regions with a high circulation of the virus. That involves any place where the incidence rate is 60 per 100,000 inhabitants. The Alpes Maritimes currently has an incidence rate of 450, double that of the national average.
 
Related stories: 

France closes borders to non-EU countries

 
Photo of the Route des Crêtes, Cassis, France by Jp Valery on Unsplash
 
 

CFM Indosuez renews ballet company backing

by: Stephanie Horsman
02/02/2021

Wealth management giant CFM Indosuez has extended its 20-plus year partnership with Ballets de Monte-Carlo by three more years.

Renewal of the two-decade sponsorship was marked by an intimate signing between the two entities on 1st February.

“More than 20 years of unfailing support, renewed once again, is unique and exceptional in the Principality of Monaco, especially in the context we are currently experiencing,” said Jean-Christophe Maillot, Choreographer-Director of the Ballets de Monte-Carlo. “CFM Indosuez gives us the means to innovate with this superb tool at the service of the choreographic art that is Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo. Our relationship is based on deep mutual trust. This is what is most precious and that is why CFM Indosuez is our oldest official partner.”

The trust built up between the two, they say, is due to the common values they share, namely “the search for excellence innovation, surpassing oneself, teamwork and family spirit.”

The renewal also represents CFM Indosuez’s dedication to Monaco’s cultural activities.

“The internationally recognised quality of Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo is a source of pride for the Principality,” said Mathieu Ferragut, CEO of CFM Indosuez Wealth Management. “For CFM Indosuez, it is an honour and a pleasure to continue our accompaniment, which has lasted for more than 20 years. This renewal of partnership for three years is in perfect coherence with the ambition of the Indosuez Group to promote excellence, know-how and passion and thus to support talent. Together with the Monte-Carlo Ballet, we intend to write a common history for many more years to come.”

 
Monaco Life with press release, photo provided