Prince Albert II held up Monaco’s close integration with its neighbours as an example for Europe at the European Political Community summit in Dublin on Thursday 12th November, where he also congratulated the leaders of Andorra and San Marino on the EU association agreement that Monaco stepped away from in 2023.
Andorra and San Marino signed the agreement less than a month ago, paving the way for both countries to access the European Union’s single market while remaining outside the bloc. Monaco was originally part of the same negotiations but suspended its talks with the European Commission in September 2023, as reported by Monaco Life, after the two sides were unable to reconcile the EU’s negotiating terms with Monaco’s aim of preserving existing living, working and housing conditions for its nationals.
First held in Prague in October 2022, the European Political Community brings together leaders from countries inside and outside the EU. A statement from the Prince’s Palace said the informal summit aims to “strengthen political dialogue between European states” so they can “respond collectively to shared challenges”.
This ninth edition was hosted by Irish Taoiseach Micheál Martin, with discussions focused on European security and economic resilience amid Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine.
Monaco as an example of connectivity
During a roundtable on innovation, connectivity and affordable energy, Prince Albert stressed that Europe’s resilience and competitiveness depend in part on “preserving its natural resources and developing efficient transport infrastructure, digital networks, and energy interconnections”, according to the Palace.
He pointed to Monaco’s close integration with neighbouring areas as an illustration of “the essential role of connectivity in trade, daily travel, and cross-border economic vitality”.
Following the roundtable, Prince Albert met Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, whose country attended the summit as a special guest. The two discussed the Our Ocean Conference, which will take place in Halifax from 9th to 11th May 2027. Monaco hosted its first Blue Economy and Finance Forum in June 2025 as a special event of the United Nations Ocean Conference, bringing together policymakers and investors to discuss how to finance ocean conservation and sustainable marine industries.
The Prince also met French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Parliament President Roberta Metsola.
Later in the day, Prince Albert attended the third meeting of the European coalition against drugs, an initiative launched by France and Italy.
Small states look to Monaco 2027
Prince Albert congratulated Andorran head of government Xavier Espot Zamora and San Marino’s secretary of state for foreign affairs, Luca Beccari, on the signing of their countries’ EU association agreement on Monday 19th October.
He also met Liechtenstein’s head of government, Brigitte Haas, and told the representatives from Andorra and San Marino he looked forward to welcoming them to Monaco for the Games of the Small States of Europe. Andorra, San Marino and Liechtenstein are among the nine countries set to compete from 17th to 23rd May 2027, when Monaco will host the Games for the third time.
Monaco Life is written by qualified journalists, writing original content. Sign up for our free newsletter, listen to our podcasts on Spotify, and follow us across Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Tik Tok.
Photo credit: Frédéric Nebinger / Palais princier