Monaco celebrated the 20th anniversary of its accession to the Council of Europe in Strasbourg on Wednesday, October 2. The event was attended by HSH Prince Albert, Secretary General of the Council of Europe Alain Berset, President of the National Council Thomas Brezzo, Minister of Foreign Relations Isabelle Berro-Amadeï, and Monaco’s Ambassador to the Council of Europe, Gabriel Revel.
Also present were the Lithuanian Foreign Minister, currently presiding over the Council’s Committee of Ministers, along with ambassadors, parliamentarians from member states, senior officials, and representatives from Monaco’s government, National Council, and municipality.
During the event, Prince Albert met with the Secretary General of the Council of Europe to discuss Monaco’s upcoming presidency of the Committee of Ministers in 2026.
The highlight of the day was the inauguration of a multimedia exhibition by Prince Albert II. The exhibition, which chronicles Monaco’s journey as a member of the Council of Europe, was organized in collaboration with the National Council, the Department of External Relations and Cooperation, and several Monegasque cultural institutions. The exhibition will be on display throughout October at the Palais de l’Europe in Strasbourg and online on Monaco’s Council of Europe representation website.
The celebration concluded with the unveiling of a participatory artwork by the artist Mr. One Teas. The piece, titled Ode to Liberty, symbolises an open window on human rights and will be gifted to the Council of Europe.
Monaco joined the Council of Europe on October 5, 2004, becoming its 46th member. Founded in 1949 after World War II, the Council of Europe is the continent’s oldest and most prominent human rights organisation, distinct from the European Union. Its mission is based on three pillars: human rights protection, rule of law, and democracy. All member states are signatories to the 1950 European Convention on Human Rights.
All images courtesy of Stéphane Danna – Communications Department
