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Month: July 2022

France proposes minimum language rule for residency

by: Stephanie Horsman
20/07/2022

France’s Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin wants to introduce a new law that links a residency card to a minimum level of French.

People wishing to obtain a residency card, or carte de sejour, in France may have to up their language skills in future. The Minister of the Interior, Gérald Darmanin, has declared his intention to propose a minimum language proficiency clause to the government, which is running concurrent with a proposal to expel foreigners who “commit serious acts”.

If this comes to fruition, the rule will be that applicants have a level A1 proficiency in French, the lowest achievable language level, rather than the current rule, which is simply an intention to learn the language through enrolment to language courses.

This nod is meant partly to satisfy factions in the National Assembly outside President Macron’s party, La Republiique en Marche, with whom he needs the support of to pass new laws.

Immigration has been a bugbear for the Interior Minister. Last year, there were more than 60,000 calls for expulsion, with a mere 3,500 being carried out, representing only 5.6% of the obligations to leave French territory.

Macron’s record in this area is weaker than his predecessor François Hollande, though he vowed in 2019 to stick to a 100% expulsion rate.

 

 

 

Photo by Fabien Maurin on Unsplash

 

 

 

EU raises inflation forecasts for eurozone

by: Stephanie Horsman
19/07/2022

The European Commission has considerably upped the inflation forecast for the Union, as well as reducing the growth forecast for 2023 amid concerns over the lingering effects of the war in Ukraine.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine has put the once stable order of things in the European Union into a bit of a tailspin. The war has put pressure on energy supplies and the food chain, causing massive price increases, which has manifested itself into  many households struggling to make ends meet.

“In view of high inflation and tightening financing conditions, it will be important to find the right balance between moving towards a more prudent fiscal stance and protecting the most vulnerable,” said the EU’s Executive Vice-President, Valdis Dombrovskis.

The European Commission (EC) expects eurozone inflation to hit a shocking 7.6% this year, up from the previous projected figure of 6.1% that was published in May. Average inflation is expected to reach historical highs this year, according to the EC forecast. 2023 does not seem to be much better if forecasts are accurate, with inflation sitting at 4%, up from the projected 2.7% thought to be the case in the spring.

The EU’s economy is highly susceptible to fluctuations in the energy market, due mostly to its reliance on Russian fossil fuels.

Said European Commissioner for Economy Paolo Gentiloni of the situation, “Moscow’s actions are disrupting energy and grain supplies, pushing up prices and weakening confidence.”

For now, it’s going to be a game of wait and see, with consumers bearing the brunt.

 

 

 

MEB confirms “African Ambitions”

by: Stephanie Horsman
19/07/2022

The Monaco Economic Board and the Club Monegasque Entrepreneurs in Africa recently held the first Africa Day conference, underscoring the desire of both sides to take advantage of opportunities and strengthen already close ties.

Hundreds of business leaders gathered at the Yacht Club of Monaco on 29th June to take part in talks and round tables focused on doing business in Africa.

The event, called Africa Day, was organised by the Monaco Economic Board (MEB) and the Club Monegasque Entrepreneurs in Africa (CEMA), and it attracted Monegasque companies and high-level businesspeople all interested in the same goal: to open up more trade with the Dark Continent.

On the agenda of the day, which was themed ‘Green and Digital Africa’, were challenges, digital expansion, and relationship building. Led by CEMA President Frederic Geerts and MEB Executive Director General Guillaume Rose, the many actions taken to reinforce business relations between the Principality and this continent were discussed at length.

Trade opportunities with Africa have been brewing and are now starting to see fruition. In the last few years, promotional and trade missions have been organised to Burkina Faso, Mali, Tunisia, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Gabon. A trade mission to Djibouti is being considered following a successful MEBinar with a delegation from this country in May. More recently, MEB members are also being offered new chances to build relationships, namely meetings with visiting ambassadors to the Principality.

Frédéric Genta, Monaco’s Country Chief Officer for the Digital Transition and Attractiveness, opened the event, with Jean Castellini, Minister of Finance and the Economy, closing the proceedings. Both drew attention to Africa’s potential thanks to digital technology. Additionally, Isabelle Rosabrunetto, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, outlined the many targeted actions taken through cooperation.

 

 

Photo credit: Helena Ahonen

 

 

 

 

Covid cases decline but hospitalisations rise

by: Stephanie Horsman
19/07/2022

Monaco saw a drop in new Covid cases last week, but hospitalisations have increased with 49 people in care at the CHPG on Tuesday.

In the week ending 17th July there were 287 new positive cases of Covid-19 in the Principality, down from 389 the previous week. Whilst this is good news, the number of hospitalisations is on the uptick, from 31 people to 49, and of those 36 are residents. The intensive care unit is treating one person, a resident, halving the number from the previous week.

In a positive sign, the incidence rate in Monaco dropped for the first time in recent weeks, getting down to 733 compared to 994, together with a fall in the number of patients being looked after by the Home Monitoring Centre, from 197 to 151.

In the Principality, 2,375 tests were taken last week with a positivity rate of 25.4%, while in the Alpes-Maritimes the positivity rate was 30.2% and the incidence rate 1,125. The neighbouring region had 19 more people enter hospital during the week, and an additional six treated in intensive care. There are now a total of 352 Covid patients in Alpes-Maritimes hospitals and 29 in ICU.

 

 

Photo by Monaco Life

 

 

 

Photos: 2022 Red Cross Gala, glamour for a good cause

by: Stephanie Horsman
19/07/2022

American singer-songwriter and pianist Alicia Keys took to the stage in the heart of Monte-Carlo on Monday night for the 73rd Red Cross Gala, with Prince Albert and Princess Charlene joining the concert under the stars. Here are the highlights…

The Red Cross Gala has been a Monaco tradition for 73 years, attracting big name entertainment and hundreds of glamorous guests. The 2022 edition was spectacular indeed with Prince Albert, the organisation’s president, and Princess Charlene, the vice-president, both looking on good form – the Princess radiant in a powder blue floor length gown, whilst the Prince opted for a more casual look with white trousers and a blue blazer. 

Their niece, Camille Gottlieb, also attended the annual event.

The evening began with welcome cocktails on the Terrasses du Casino with a breath-taking view onto the Med before heading out to Casino Square for a live performance by Alicia Keyes.

Keyes performed her beloved hits as well as songs from her latest album entitled Alicia. The record marks her return to the spotlight after nearly a decade.

In all, 650 guests spent the evening at the dazzling event, which marks the Prince’s 40th year as president. He took over the post in 1982 after the untimely death of his mother, Princess Grace, while Princess Charlene celebrated her first full year as vice president.

Proceeds from the gala go towards supporting the actions of the Monaco Red Cross, which this year included special backing for Ukrainian refugees fleeing their war-torn country.

Since 1948, the Red Cross Gala has been a heady mix of glamour and humanitarianism attracting the good and the great from the Principality and beyond. Up until last year, the gala was held in the Salle des Etoiles, but following the renovation of Casino Square, the highly publicised event now takes place in the heart of Monte-Carlo.

Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene with Camille Gottlieb and Philippe Pastor, Frederic Platini, Bettina Ragazzoni-Janin and the Red Cross Committee, photo source: Pierre Villard/Monte Carlo Société des Bains de Mer’

For more than 30 years, a collection of art works by international artists has been created, illustrating the values of the Monaco Red Cross. Among the artists in the collection are Moretti, Arman, César, Velickovic, Paul Jenkins, Sosno, and Damien Hirst.

This year, Monegasque artist Philippe Pastor enriched the extraordinary collection with his emblematic work: Les Arbres Brûlés.

Click on the gallery for more images of the 2022 Red Cross Gala. Photos by Pierre Villard/Monte Carlo Société des Bains de Mer…

 

 

Embolo “happy to join this magnificent project”

by: Luke Entwistle
19/07/2022

Breel Embolo’s transfer from Borussia Mönchengladbach to AS Monaco was confirmed on Friday. The Swiss international joins on a four-year deal and will be unveiled on Wednesday alongside fellow newcomer Takumi Minamino.

Embolo joins for a fee thought to be around €12.5, although the official fee remains undisclosed. The Swiss international forward brings with him a wealth of experience despite only being 25. He has already featured over 50 times for his country and has amassed over 130 appearances in the German top flight.

Speaking in a press release, Monaco sporting director Paul Mitchell outlined what his latest signing will bring to the club. “We are very happy to welcome Breel to AS Monaco,” he began, “His profile brings an additional asset to our attacking options and adds a bit of depth to the team in order to allow us to tackle the packed calendar in the best conditions. At 25, Breel has won titles and knows the expectations of the Champions League.”

Embolo burst onto the scene during Euro 2016, where he was the youngest player in the squad. He has since gone on to make 56 appearances, scoring nine goals. “His status as an international player and his participation in big competitions such as the World Cup and the European Championships give him experience, which will be valuable to us,” said Mitchell.

Monaco have a youthful side, and it was a clearly stated objective at the start of the window that the club was seeking to bring in a sprinkling of experience. The latest acquisition meets that criteria. “He joins us at the best moment of his career,” concluded the English sporting director.

Embolo joins an increasingly threatening forward line, composed of seasoned internationals. As well as Wissam Ben Yedder, Kevin Volland and Myron Boadu, he will also play alongside, or compete with, Minamino, who joined up with his team-mates during the club’s training camp in Portugal.

The Swiss player said, “I am very happy to join Monaco and also to join this magnificent project. I thank the management for giving me the opportunity to discover such a big club. I want to integrate as quickly as possible and bring my qualities to the group.”

Although Saturday’s friendly will undoubtedly come around too early for Embolo, the hope is that he will be ready for the start of the club’s competitive fixtures, which get under way at the beginning of August. Before a ball is kicked in the domestic championship, the club will hope to have their new asset operational for their Champions League play-off first-leg versus PSV Eindhoven.

Whilst that game is crucial to the club’s European ambitions, he is also looking forward to discovering a new league. “I can’t wait to get to know my new environment in Ligue 1, a championship whose level continues to evolve.”

He will be officially presented as a Monaco player on Wednesday, alongside Minamino. Monaco’s summer spending is expected to continue in the coming weeks as the club targets a replacement for the departed Aurélien Tchouaméni.

 

 

Photo source: AS Monaco