Prince Albert II received Alain Berset, Secretary General of the Council of Europe, in audience at the Prince’s Palace on Wednesday 8th April, in a visit that sets the stage for Monaco’s first-ever presidency of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe.

The meeting was attended on the Monegasque side by Olivier Wenden, Director of Cabinet, Isabelle Berro-Amadeï, Minister of External Relations and Cooperation, and Ambassador Gabriel Revel, Monaco’s Permanent Representative to the Council of Europe. Berset was accompanied by Natacha de Roeck, Deputy Director of Cabinet of the Secretary General’s office, and Thibault Curmi, adviser within the same cabinet.

According to a press release from the Palace, discussions focused on the major challenges facing Europe, in particular the promotion of human rights, democracy and the rule of law — the three pillars on which the Council of Europe’s work is founded. The meeting also provided an opportunity to outline Monaco’s own priorities in these areas in the context of its forthcoming presidency.

At the close of the audience, Prince Albert II elevated Alain Berset to the grade of Commander of the Order of Saint-Charles.

Monaco will assume the presidency of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe from 15th May to 10th November 2026 — a first since the Principality joined the organisation in 2004. The Principality has indicated it intends to use the presidency to reinforce its commitment to multilateralism, dialogue between states and the defence of the fundamental values that unite European nations.

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Photo credit : Michaël Alesi / Palais princier