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Day: 13 September 2024

Monaco’s Conseil National weighs in on SNCF plans to halt evening train services

by: Stephanie Horsman
13/09/2024

Monaco’s elected representatives, the Conseil National, have gone public with a statement deploring the SNCF’s handling of the incoming train line disruptions to the Principality, which will see all trains between 9pm and 6am cancelled on five nights per week for the next nine months. 

Earlier this month, the SNCF made the surprise announcement that all train services between Nice and Ventimiglia, and between the hours of 9pm and 6am, will be cancelled from Sunday through Thursday for the next nine months, starting from 15th September.

The Monaco Government responded promptly to the announcement, calling for an urgent meeting with railway heads to find a solution to the disruptions, which are likely to be substantial. This response has been approved by the Conseil National – the National Council in English – but the elected body has also gone further in its reaction to the news. 

See more: Monaco Government shocked at SNCF rail disruptions, calling the last-minute announcement “unacceptable”

“Following the government press release, which stated that it was ‘deeply shocked to read that the trains would no longer stop in Monaco’, the Conseil National deplores the lack of participation [by the SNCF in this matter] and notes with satisfaction the reaction of the Minister of State, who is requesting an emergency meeting with SNCF Réseau and the Région Sud,” reads a statement published by the Conseil National on social media on 12th September. “The Conseil National deplores the lack of consultation and demands the implementation of a replacement [travel] plan.” 

PRIOR KNOWLEDGE OF PLAN? 

Though the Conseil National says it appreciates the efforts made by the government, the post appears to question whether there was more prior knowledge about the plans than has been disclosed.

“First of all, the elected officials question the total absence of prior consultation between the government and its interlocutors at the SNCF and with the Région Sud,” says a spokesperson for the Conseil National. “According to SNCF Réseaux procedures, the planning of works that interrupt the traffic of a railway line takes place well in advance of the construction site, during which a consultation phase occurs, which is entirely absent in the current situation.” 

SUGGESTIONS 

The elected body has proposed a slew of solutions, including a complete review and revision of the plans, the implementation of a substitute transport system and the suspension of work during major event dates in Monaco. 

The situation will also be discussed by the Conseil’s President, Thomas Brezzo, with the mayors of nearby French municipalities at a future meeting. 

To read the statement in full, click here.

Read related:

Upgrades to local train lines to impact services between Nice and Ventimiglia for nine months

 

Monaco Life is produced by real multi-media journalists writing original content. See more in our free newsletter, follow our Podcasts on Spotify, and check us out on Threads, Facebook,  Instagram,  LinkedIn and Tik Tok. 

 

Photo by Monaco Life

All European visitors will need an ETA to travel to the UK from April 2025

by: Stephanie Horsman
13/09/2024

The UK Government has confirmed the schedule for the rollout of its digital travel authorisation system, known as the Electronic Travel Authorisation or ETA, which is set to change the way in which tourists from the European Union and beyond enter British territory. Under the new rules, travellers from EU countries and other visa-exempt nations like Monaco will be required to apply for an ETA before entering the UK from April 2025.  

The ETA is part of the UK Government’s effort to enhance border security and streamline the entry process for visitors. According to the UK Home Office, the ETA will apply to all travellers who currently do not require a visa. 

The scheme already applies to a number of countries in the Middle East, including Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. As of 2nd April 2025, it will also apply to nations in the EU and EEA, as well as Monaco.  

FAST AND EASY ONLINE APPLICATION 

Visitors will need to apply online, providing personal and travel details in advance. Once granted, the ETA will be valid for multiple entries over a two-year period or until the applicant’s passport expires, making it similar to systems used by countries like the United States, with its ESTA system, and the new EU Entry/Exit System (EES). 

This move comes in the context of the UK’s post-Brexit border management reforms. Until now, EU citizens could travel freely to the UK without any pre-approval. However, the new rules are designed to give the UK more control over who enters the country, ensuring that only those meeting entry requirements can cross its borders. The EU will implement a similar scheme this November. 

The ETA is intended to be a swift and straightforward process, with most applications expected to be approved within a few minutes or hours. 

“Digitisation enables a smooth experience for the millions of people who pass through the border every year, including the visitors we warmly welcome to the UK who are predicted to contribute over £32 billion to our tourism economy this year,” says Seema Malhotra, the UK’s Minister for Migration and Citizenship. “The worldwide expansion of the ETA demonstrates our commitment to enhancing security through new technology and embedding a modern immigration system.” 

For tourists, this change means an increase in planning, as they will now need to apply for travel permission before arrival. While the UK government is working to ensure the system is user-friendly, there may still be concerns about how this impacts spontaneous travel, which was a hallmark of EU-UK relationships before Brexit. 

For more information on the ETA, click here.

Read related:

EU Entry/Exit System expected to be operational by November 2024

 

Monaco Life is produced by real multi-media journalists writing original content. See more in our free newsletter, follow our Podcasts on Spotify, and check us out on Threads,  Facebook,  Instagram,  LinkedIn and Tik Tok. 

 

Photo source: Belinda Fewings, Unsplash

Prince Albert II commits €3 million to Storm Alex reconstruction projects 

by: Elsa Carpenter
13/09/2024

When Storm Alex swept through the south of France back in October 2020, it caused untold devastation to large parts of the Alpes-Maritimes, destroying communities and livelihoods, and led to the deaths of 18 people. In the aftermath, the Monaco Government and Prince Albert II pledged their support – financial, logistical and emotional – to the rebuilding of the Roya, Tinée, Vésubie and Moyen Var valleys.  

On 2nd and 3rd October 2020, one of the most intense storms in living memory tore through the Alpes-Maritimes. The damage caused was extensive. Towns and villages were cut off, people lost their homes, local infrastructure was wiped off the map and, most tragically, 18 people died. 

Within hours of Storm Alex’s passing, the Principality of Monaco mobilised to offer its support and provided both logistical and human assistance to the Alpes-Maritimes authorities, who were faced with destruction and damage on a scale not seen in France since WWII.  

See more: Prince visits storm-ravaged valleys

A year later, the Prince’s Government signed an agreement to help fund, to the tune of €3 million in collaboration with the Fondation du Patrimoine, a range of restoration and reconstruction projects in the areas most affected by the storm, notably the Roya, Tinée, Vésubie and Moyen Var valleys, which lie to the north of Monaco.  

With many of these projects now complete, a ceremony was held at the Palais des Rois Sardes in Nice on 10th September to thank Prince Albert and the Monaco Government for their contributions and support.  

Among those present were: many of the mayors of the municipalities that received funding; Hugues Moutouh, Prefect of the Alpes-Maritimes; Isabelle Berro-Amadeï, Monaco’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation; Lionel Beffre, Monaco’s new Minister of the Interior; and Prince Albert, who spoke about the impact that Storm Alex had on the region. 

Hugues Moutouh, Prefect of the Alpes-Maritimes, attended the ceremony organised in honour of Prince Albert II and the Monaco Government’s contributions to the rebuilding of the valleys. Photo credit: Monaco Communications Department

“Enclosed within the Alpes-Maritimes, the Principality of Monaco has long maintained close ties not only with its neighbouring municipalities, but also with all of the communities of the department and the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region,” said the Prince. “When the Alpine massifs surrounding the Principality were severely devastated by Storm Alex on 2nd October 2020, it was only natural that we offered logistical and human assistance to the French authorities the very next day to support the rescue operations. 

Storm Alex left an indelible mark on our hearts and minds, but it also reminded us of the strength of the local community that we form. I will have the pleasure, in the coming weeks, of attending the inauguration of a symbolic project in each of the three valleys, made possible thanks to the financial support of the Principality of Monaco.” 

Monaco’s financial support has helped with a full 30 projects in the affected valleys, from the rebuilding of historically important bridges in Fontan and La Brigue to village walls, canals and a playground in Saorge. The funds have also assisted in renovations to the many roadways and walking paths that were destroyed by the flash floods and landslides, as well as the reconstruction of and repairs to numerous cultural and community sites, including the Saint-Michel Church and Chapel of Mercy in Tende, the Santa-Maria-in-Albis Church in Breil-sur-Roya, the Saint-Pons Church and the presbytery in Marie, the war memorial and Chapel of the White Penitents in Villars-sur-Var, the Saint-Michel Church in Venanson, and the Saint-Michel de Gast Church in Roquebillière.  

 

Monaco Life is produced by real multi-media journalists writing original content. See more in our free newsletter, follow our Podcasts on Spotify, and check us out on Threads, Facebook,  Instagram,  LinkedIn and Tik Tok. 

 

Photo credit: Monaco Communications Department

 

Government discusses action plan following GRECO anti-corruption report

by: Cassandra Tanti
13/09/2024
Monaco’s government is ramping up efforts to tackle corruption at the highest levels, following recommendations from a recent GRECO report. 

In a meeting presided over by the Minister of State Didier Guillaume, members of Monaco’s government gathered on Thursday 12th September alongside two key experts, Marc Segonds and Gilles Duteil, to discuss the implementation of measures aimed at combating corruption. These experts have been instrumental in guiding the Principality through the development and execution of its anti-corruption framework.

The meeting follows the release of the Group of States against Corruption (GRECO) report on 24th July 2024, which highlighted several areas where Monaco must reinforce its stance against corruption, particularly within its senior governmental ranks. GRECO’s evaluation called for improvements, especially regarding top-ranking officials, and suggested a more transparent approach to governance and accountability in the public sector.

According to a statement by the government, officials worked through various themes during this session, aiming to develop concrete actions to meet GRECO’s recommendations. The Principality of Monaco reaffirmed its commitment to advancing its anti-corruption measures while respecting its unique institutional framework.

The government says that the discussions aimed at ensuring that Monaco continues to evolve in alignment with international standards, focusing on increasing transparency and implementing robust mechanisms to prevent unethical practices.

Meanwhile, a dedicated session was held for the General Secretariat of the Government and the Directors General of the Ministerial Departments, with a focus on ensuring that anti-corruption policies permeate all levels of governance.

Monaco Life is produced by real multi-media journalists writing original content. See more in our free newsletter, follow our Podcasts on Spotify, and check us out on Threads,  Facebook,  Instagram,  LinkedIn and Tik Tok. 

Photo credit: Manuel Vitali, Government Communication Department