Monaco’s Minister of State, Pierre Dartout, has met with representatives from the Objectif Monaco think tank after concerns about “misinformation” regarding the ongoing EU-Monaco negotiations arose.
The Objectif Monaco think tank came about in February 2023. It was created by a handful of key players in the Principality’s business sector, but quickly brought onboard numerous unions and resident families – both of Monegasque and outside nationalities that are settled in Monaco – who were attracted by a platform that could help get their voices heard in the realm of local political, economic and legal issues.
One of the principal “issues” that led to the establishment of Objectif Monaco are concerns about the “ongoing negotiations being held on a possible new framework for relationships between the European Union and the State of Monaco”.
According to a statement on the think tank’s website, “While the negotiations between Brussels and Monaco commenced over seven years ago, the opaque nature of exchanges held by negotiators on the contours of a new frameworks of relations between the EU and the State of Monaco still remains… An agreement with the EU would lead to a shake-up of Monaco’s socio-economic model. These issues, so vital for the country’s economy vitality, must be well-documented and made public. All Monegasques have the right to know and measure the stakes at play in these ongoing negotiations. All Monegasques have the right to be heard regarding what will happen for future generations.”
A first official meeting
Until recently, the government and Objectif Monaco had not formally met up, but that changed on 27th June when Minister of State Pierre Dartout, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Co-Operation Isabelle Berro-Amadeï and High Commissioner for European Affairs Isabelle Costa got together with the group to clear the air on various subjects, namely the latest on the EU objective.
The government’s goal was to answer questions posed by Objectif Monaco as well as to “provide necessary clarification to certain inaccurate information that may have been disseminated”.
A communiqué issued by the government following the meeting revealed that those gathered also touched on what the EU developments will mean for the shorter-to-home French-Monegasque relations.
Objectif Monaco was represented in the talks by: Stéphane Garino, President of the Order of Chartered Accountants; Thomas Giaccardi, Chairman of the Order of Lawyers; Gabriel Viora, President of the Order of Architects; Philippe Afriat, members of the Order of Doctors; Fabien Deplanche, President of the Employers Chamber of Contruction; Alain Vivalda, President of the Chamber of Real Estate; and Carol Millo, General Secretary of the Chamber of Real Estate.
At the end of the meeting, it was suggested that a continuing dialogue exist between the think tank and the government in Monaco.
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Photo source: Monaco Communications Department