The Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Alain Berset, has visited the Principality of Monaco to discuss with the Monegasque authorities and the diplomatic corps the priorities of the forthcoming Presidency and the current challenges facing our democracies.
During his meetings with HSH Prince Albert II, members of the Princely Government, the Secretary of State for Justice, Samuel Vuelta Simon, and the President of the National Council, Thomas Brezzo, the Secretary General discussed strengthening co-operation between the Council of Europe and Monaco, and the programme for the Monegasque Presidency, a first in the country's history (15 May-10 November 2026).
Domestic violence, sport and the fight against organised crime will be top of the agenda
Priorities include the protection of human rights, in particular for women who are victims of violence, children and young people, as well as sport as a tool for inclusion, and the fight against organised crime. Monaco also intends to promote co-operation and dialogue among the 46 member states of the Council of Europe to strengthen, in particular, their compliance with their commitments under the European Convention on Human Rights and the European Court of Human Rights.
The talks also focused on strengthening the rule of law and democratic security, in particular through the New Democratic Pact for Europe, and the next steps towards accountability and justice for Ukraine - which remains one of the priorities of the Presidency of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe.
Speaking at the diplomatic conference, the Secretary General reflected on the Council of Europe's role against a backdrop of profound disruption to the world order.
The Council of Europe's support for Ukraine
"The Council of Europe was created for times when the balance is shifting, when rules cease to be self-evident. Not to guarantee security through force, but to uphold the legal and democratic framework without which there can be no lasting European security," Mr Berset said. "This security is at stake first and foremost in Ukraine," he repeated.
Mr Berset also met with upper secondary school pupils at the award ceremony for a competition held on young people's role in safeguarding democracy. He used the occasion to reiterate the need to restore young people's trust in institutions and to encourage genuine, rather than merely symbolic, participation. "Your generation is not arriving at the end of democratic history; it is arriving at a time when democracy must be defended and renewed," emphasised the Secretary General, who discussed current international affairs, the war in Ukraine, and the dangers of disinformation with the pupils.
"Giving young people a greater voice means restoring a long-term vision to our institutions," he said during his visit, in the course of which he also emphasised the importance of "looking ahead to build a European order that is stronger, freer and more faithful to the rule of law".
At the end of the audience granted by the Sovereign Prince on 8 April, the Secretary General was awarded the rank of Commander of the Order of Saint Charles, a distinction established in 1858 which honours individuals - whether Monegasque or foreign - for their merits and services to the Principality or Prince.
How does the Presidency of the Committee of Ministers work?
Monaco and the Council of Europe
