Minister of State Pierre Dartout on Thursday, May 11, received representatives of the Mediterranean Foundation for Strategic Studies (FMES).

As part of its first Mediterranean maritime session, France’s Mediterranean Foundation for Strategic Studies (FMES) stopped in the Principality on May 11 and 12, to discuss the theme: “What seabed policy for France in the Mediterranean?”

The FMES, created thirty years ago and led by admirals and former senior French Defence officials, is holding training session dedicated to all maritime issues in the Mediterranean, under the sponsorship of the maritime prefecture.

At the start of the visit, Monaco’s Minister of State, Pierre Dartout, spoke during a conference given at the Oceanographic Museum to a select audience from the world of industry, media, administrations at sea, the scientific community, the legal community, and the yachting and environmental sector.

Monaco’s international audience and the values that drive it, under the impetus of Prince Albert II, oblige the Principality to remain in close contact with maritime and environmental issues. Monaco is a maritime Principality, affirmed the Minister of State. At a time of new French and international strategies, political and military ambitions, the arrival of new technologies, energy and raw material needs and discoveries about the biodiversity of these spaces, listeners should be able to enlighten decision-makers on the best policy to be implemented by France on its seabed in the Mediterranean, Pierre Dartout said.

The purpose of holding the maritime session in Monaco was to help develop the international aspect of maritime policy in the Mediterranean, and, taking advantage of this visit, to introduce the French players to Monegasque institutions and the original role played by the Principality in the maritime domain.

PHOTO: Visiting FMES members and Monaco ministers and officials Monaco Government Press Service