Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset Commends Monaco’s Productive Six-Month Presidency Ahead of Montenegro Handover

Key Points

• Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset commended the Principality of Monaco for executing an active and productive six-month presidency of the Committee of Ministers.
• The formal handover of the presidency from Monaco to Montenegro will take place at Council of Europe headquarters in Strasbourg on 10 November 2026.
• Isabelle Berro-Amadei, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, led the Monegasque delegation in guiding key international priorities across justice, youth sport safety, and environmental protection.
• The 19th Council of Europe Conference of Ministers Responsible for Sport convened 300 international delegates, including 25 ministers and state secretaries, at Monaco’s Grimaldi Forum on 3 and 4 November 2026.
• Alain Berset praised Sovereign Prince Albert II’s long-standing dedication to European human rights and democracy, recalling Prince Albert’s historical 2004 statement that Monaco joined its “natural family” upon acceding to the organization.

Monaco (Monaco Weekly Newspaper) November 7, 2026 – Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset has delivered high praise for the Principality of Monaco’s six-month presidency of the Committee of Ministers as the nation prepares to hand over leadership to Montenegro on Tuesday, 10 November 2026. Speaking to members of the international press on Wednesday, 4 November 2026, at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco on the sidelines of the 19th Council of Europe Conference of Ministers Responsible for Sport, Berset declared that the Council of Europe “feels at home in Monaco”. He commended Monegasque authorities for striking an effective balance between organizing high-level international conferences and advancing substantive regional work across judicial standards, child protection in sport, and environmental conservation.

What Did Alain Berset State Regarding Monaco’s Committee of Ministers Presidency?

As reported by official correspondents covering proceedings at the Council of Europe Media Centre and local news outlets in Monte Carlo, Secretary General Alain Berset expressed gratitude to Monegasque leadership for their stewardship over the past six months.

Addressing journalists at the press briefing following the conclusion of the ministerial sport summit on Wednesday, 4 November 2026, Alain Berset commended the hospitality and organizational skill demonstrated by the Principality.

As reported by regional correspondents for NEWS.MC, Alain Berset stated: “I would also like to thank Monaco for its six-month presidency. Monaco won us all over during those six months, striking a skillful balance between advancing important issues and organizing high-quality events”.

Berset highlighted the active role played by the Monegasque diplomatic delegation, which operated under the direct direction of Isabelle Berro-Amadei, Government Counsellor-Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation.

Describing the operational impact of Monaco’s tenure, Berset added: “Monaco’s presence in Strasbourg has been recognized and appreciated, and it has helped move work forward on justice, sport, and environmental issues. It has been a very active and productive presidency”.

How Did Alain Berset Highlight Prince Albert II’s Commitment to the Council of Europe?

According to coverage published by Monaco Life and Mirage News, Alain Berset pointed to the active personal involvement of Sovereign Prince Albert II of Monaco as a cornerstone of the presidency’s success.

Prince Albert II addressed the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) in Strasbourg last September, delivering a key speech outlining Monaco’s diplomatic priorities. The Sovereign returned to the international stage on Tuesday, 3 November 2026, to officially open the 19th Council of Europe Conference of Ministers Responsible for Sport alongside Berset at the Grimaldi Forum.

Reflecting on Monaco’s historic relationship with the European organization, Berset recalled the Principality’s official accession on 5 October 2004, when it became the 46th member state of the Council of Europe.

As reported by Monaco Info, Alain Berset stated: “At the Council of Europe, we always remember with emotion the words Prince Albert spoke in 2004, when the Principality joined the organization. He said Monaco was joining its natural family. We have never forgotten those words. And today, here in the Principality, the Council of Europe feels at home”.

What Are the Next Steps for the Handover of the Presidency to Montenegro?

As detailed in official diplomatic schedules released by the Council of Europe, Monaco will officially conclude its rotational leadership on Tuesday, 10 November 2026.

The formal handover ceremony will take place at the Committee of Ministers headquarters in Strasbourg, France, in the presence of Minister Isabelle Berro-Amadei and incoming diplomatic representatives from Montenegro. Montenegro will assume the six-month chairmanship, succeeding Monaco to guide Committee of Ministers initiatives through mid-May 2027.

During its presidency from May to November 2026, Monaco prioritized six main policy pillars:

1. Protection of Children and Youth: Focus on child safety, mental well-being, and safeguarding in organized sports.
2. Environmental Protection and Human Rights: Connecting ecological sustainability to fundamental rights.
3. Justice and Rule of Law: Supporting the European Court of Human Rights and strengthening anti-corruption mechanisms.
4. Promotion of Gender Equality: Advancing women’s rights and equal representation in governance.
5. Support for Vulnerable Groups: Safeguarding marginalized communities across member states.
6. Integrated Safety at Public Events: Facilitating international treaty signatures, including Monaco’s signing of the Macolin Convention on the Manipulation of Sports Competitions during the ministerial conference.

Background of the Particular Development After the News

Monaco’s presidency of the Committee of Ministers—the decision-making body of the Council of Europe comprising foreign ministers from all member states—marked the first time the Principality held the rotating leadership since joining the organization in October 2004. Over the course of the six-month mandate, Monegasque authorities hosted multiple expert meetings, intergovernmental consultations, and high-level ministerial gatherings designed to reinforce international legal conventions, environmental standards, and judicial frameworks across Europe.

The culmination of Monaco’s presidency was the hosting of the 19th Council of Europe Conference of Ministers Responsible for Sport at the Grimaldi Forum on 3–4 November 2026. The summit brought together around 300 international attendees, including 25 ministers and state secretaries, senior international sports officials, and non-governmental organizations. The conference concluded with the adoption of a resolution on safer and healthier sports for children, alongside Monaco’s signing of the Macolin Convention, establishing a firm legislative legacy prior to the upcoming handover to Montenegro in Strasbourg.

How This Development Can Affect Diplomatic Standing, Future Host Candidates, and European Sports Governance

The conclusion of Monaco’s Committee of Ministers presidency and the adoption of the Monaco resolution will generate measurable outcomes for international diplomacy, future rotating presidencies, and sports governance structures across Europe.

Impact on Monaco’s Diplomatic Standing and International Policy Influence

For the Principality of Monaco, successfully managing its inaugural presidency enhances its reputation as a capable diplomatic mediator within international bodies. The praise from Secretary General Alain Berset reinforces Monaco’s position as a reliable proponent of rule-of-law initiatives, marine protection, and youth rights. Monaco’s increased diplomatic visibility in Strasbourg will likely bolster its influence during future multilateral negotiations on human rights and environmental protection treaties.

Impact on Incoming Montenegro Presidency and Council of Europe Operations

For Montenegro and subsequent member states assuming the Committee of Ministers presidency, Monaco’s tenure sets a high benchmark for combining policy focus with well-organized international events. Montenegro is expected to build upon the momentum generated in Monaco, maintaining continuity on priorities such as regional security, judicial independence, and youth protection while introducing its own regional Balkan integration priorities to the Council of Europe agenda.

Impact on International Sports Federations and Child Safety Legislation

For international sports governing bodies, national Olympic committees, and European ministries of sport, the resolution finalized during Monaco’s presidency creates clear policy obligations. Member states will face increased structural pressure to harmonize national legislation with the resolution’s child protection mandates, ensuring that sports clubs, schools, and federations establish independent abuse reporting channels, mandatory coaching background checks, and strict safety guidelines for youth athletes.