CONSTANTINE AN. TASSOULAS: Your Serene Highness, the Prince of Monaco, it is with great pleasure that I welcome you to Athens and to the Presidential Mansion. I am certain that your visit will not only reaffirm the excellent bilateral relations between our countries, Greece and Monaco, but will also further strengthen the cooperation of our countries.
I am well aware, Your Serene Highness, of your interest in the relations between our countries, which are geographical and historical, deeply rooted. A strong, historical interpretation of the name Monaco stems from the fact that the Phocaeans, settlers from Phocaea, in the 6th century B.C., founded a colony starting from Marseille, which was named Monoikos. And from the word “Monoikos”, from the name “Monoikos,” came the name Monaco.
Another great bond between us, Your Highness, is the Mediterranean, a bond that spans centuries. The Mediterranean, which is your greatest concern, your greatest love, caring for it, has to do with the fact that, together, we are addressing the threats facing the Mediterranean, as well as all the seas, from the climate crisis, the environmental crisis and it is a matter of concern in our domestic and our foreign policy, Your Serene Highness, both for Monaco and Greece, to protect this endangered marine ecosystem from the climate crisis and the major threats it faces.
There is another bond, unique, that also connects us, it is your status as one of the longest-serving members of the International Olympic Committee. Since our country is the birthplace of the Olympic Games, I understand that this role and your love for global sports and the Olympic Games are also linked with their origins. In other words, it is also linked to the country that gave them birth. And of course, there is the strong community, mainly in the business sector, of Greeks in Monaco, which serves as an important bridge uniting us and this business community can serve as a starting point for joint pursuits and joint investments in shipping, green growth and technology.
However, it is not the climate crisis and its threats to the environment, the sea and the Mediterranean that concern and challenge us. The overall security architecture, which was built and stabilised for about eight decades after World War II, that very security architecture has been questioned and disrupted in recent years. And we are facing particular, varied and critical challenges from the military confrontations that have been testing Ukraine and the Middle East in recent years.
Hope and the factor in resolving the many challenges facing the world, and particularly the southeastern Mediterranean region, is the cooperation in good faith among nations in accordance with International Law and the United Nations Charter. My country is committed to upholding International Law, the United Nations Charter and the Resolutions of the Security Council. And we think that only this approach, this commitment, can ease the multiple crises and challenges facing humanity, particularly in Ukraine and the Middle East, and not only.
I therefore look forward to the presence of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Monaco and the Greek Minister of Foreign Affairs, so that the bilateral discussions we will hold with our delegations immediately afterward, will help us chart a common course amid all these challenges. A common path that will seek solutions, that will seek ways forward regarding the issues I mentioned earlier. And I am certain that if the example of our bilateral relations were followed by other countries, humanity and the planet would be much more peaceful and much safer. I therefore look forward, Your Serene Highness, as I welcome you and your delegation to our talks and our cooperation, so that these challenges may be addressed in the best possible way.
PRINCE ALBERT II (unofficial translation): Mr. President of the Hellenic Republic, a very big “thank you” for the warm welcome you have extended to us here at the Presidential Mansion. I thank you warmly, both personally and on behalf of my delegation.
You have highlighted this quite rightly, Mr. President, indeed, Greece and Monaco have had relations that exist for centuries, ancient relations, I would say, even though diplomatic relations, more specifically and more formally, began only in 2008 with the consulate. But that does not mean anything, because our countries have been connected for many centuries. They have the Mediterranean as a common point of reference, the Mediterranean Basin. Both of our countries participate in the culture of the Mediterranean Basin, a culture of peace, mutual aid and communication, because the sea is a channel of communication for people, who are imbued with these elements in their culture.
Quite right, you referred to the etymology of the word “Monaco,” derived from “Monoikos,” according to written sources, indeed, that is how it has been recorded. Monoikos was the name given to the Port of Hercules because it is believed that Hercules had passed through this point. It is a great pleasure for us that we have the opportunity to meet, for our delegations to meet and to delve into how we can further develop and strengthen our relations.
Our ties are strong. We have a very large Greek community in the Principality of Monaco, which is highly active in the economic life and undertakes various initiatives through its associations and clubs and this gives us great satisfaction. We are also here to discuss a marine project we are interested in, similar to those you have in Greece for marine protected areas, marine zones where we can have a protected area and safeguard the ecosystem and the species. We are also interested in discussing the blue economy, that is, the development of resources in a sustainable manner, with protection measures to ensure the continuity of these resources.
We will discuss all these issues in our upcoming bilateral meetings, where we will also explore how to further develop and strengthen our relations. You quite rightly highlighted the countless challenges that the world faces today due to conflicts around the globe and in the wider Mediterranean region.
We fully share your view. There is no other means but a multilateral approach, diplomacy, respect for International Law and placing the process under the mediation of the United Nations, so that solutions can be found, so that we can escape from impasses and resolve the problems and conflicts that torment people and inflict severe damage on the economy. On all the points you raised, please know that we are in complete agreement and we thank you warmly once again.
