In the Albanian capital of Tirana on Friday 16th May, Prince Albert II joined dozens of European leaders for the sixth European Political Community (EPC) Summit, lending Monaco’s voice to high-stakes discussions on energy, security, and competitiveness.
The meeting brought together heads of state and government from across the continent — both EU and non-EU — as well as senior officials from major European institutions, NATO, the Council of Europe, and the OSCE. Despite its informal format, the EPC is fast becoming one of Europe’s most significant political gatherings, offering a rare forum for unity in an increasingly fragmented world.
At a roundtable focused on Competitiveness, Energy and Connectivity, Prince Albert called for deeper multilateral cooperation and faster action on the energy transition. He stressed the urgent need for Europe to reduce its dependence on external energy sources and spotlighted Monaco’s own investments in renewable energy — a small state with big ambitions when it comes to sustainability.
“The challenges we face — whether environmental, economic, or geopolitical — demand shared solutions,” the Prince said, according to sources present. “And Monaco is committed to being part of those solutions.”
On the sidelines, Prince Albert met with several top European officials, including Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission; Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament; and António Costa, President of the European Council. The conversations touched on Monaco-EU relations and pressing global issues, including climate and ocean preservation.
In his meeting with Ms. von der Leyen, the Prince highlighted Monaco’s hosting of the upcoming Blue Economy and Finance Forum, taking place on 7th and 8th June. The event is part of the third United Nations Ocean Conference and aligns with the Principality’s leading role in marine conservation.
In a rare moment of direct diplomacy, Prince Albert also spoke briefly with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, reaffirming Monaco’s continued support for Ukraine amid ongoing conflict.
He later held a bilateral meeting with Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, congratulating him on his recent re-election and discussing regional cooperation in the Mediterranean. Rama’s fourth consecutive mandate is widely seen as a key step in Albania’s path toward EU accession — a journey Monaco has closely observed as a non-EU microstate with strong European ties.
The EPC Summit in Tirana may not have made major headlines, but for Monaco, it was an important reminder that even the smallest nations have a voice at Europe’s biggest tables — and are expected to use it.
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Photos credit: Michael Alesi / Palais princier