Dear fellow Monegasques,
Dear residents,
Dear friends,
A little over two years ago, on July 12th, 2005, the Monegasque community joined me to celebrate my Accession.
Two years later, in these intense and sometimes agitated times, I would like to share with you my observations, convictions and ambitions.
Since my accession to the head of the State, I have launched many ambitious initiatives in favour of the Principality’s harmonious development: the terms of my Accession speech have become the acts of my Government. Innovative actions have already been undertaken, bearing witness to Monaco’s dynamism and modernity. Others are already underway. Because our country has major assets and specificities that are recognized and appreciated, as well as many poles of excellence, I aim for it to pool all this energy and brainpower. To that end, we must demonstrate our openness, in full respect of others and of the nations represented.
Having doubts as to our country’s success means speculating against our own interests. Only by working together can we build tomorrow’s society. We will achieve this by associating loyalty to our traditions with exploration of new directions. Although such subtle equilibria are not always easily implemented, they are the key to our stability beyond any doubt or impatience, though they may be understandable.
I would like to emphasize that we must make the very best of our diversity and talent to demonstrate our resolve and daring in a world of ever greater and more daunting competition.
It is this conviction that reinforces my will to deploy a consistent ambitious foreign policy, which is my sole responsibility. This is why I want your tireless support in boosting our country’s repute, each one of you making your own contribution to adding further to the prestige of its image.
On the international scene, Monaco must develop close trusting ties with many countries. My travels abroad give me an opportunity to do so and offer me a broader vision of the way the world is going in the long term. This approach helps me better perceive how the Principality can support the evolution of our enterprises without compromising the basic principles underlying its continuity.
These travels also show me how much our country is esteemed and appreciated for what it is and what it does, despite its small size. This is both a cause for pride and an invitation to bear witness and become even more active on the international scene, on our own scale.
In Strasbourg, my formal visits to the President of the European Court of Human Rights and the Secretary General of the Council of Europe have reinforced my feeling that Monaco’s position is well appreciated by the Council of Europe without misunderstanding.
Yesterday, I undertook an official visit with the President of the French Republic. I am certain that this one-on-one meeting will give new momentum to the friendship binding France and the Principality. The topics addressed included two priorities: Euro-Mediterranean dialogue and environmental policy.
How can I omit in this respect to recall that, in a world fraught with danger and with altogether too much suffering and distress, Monaco is an exceptional haven of peace. We should be grateful each day for our good fortune and stop asking ourselves what Monaco will be tomorrow, because, tomorrow, Monaco will be what we have chosen to make it.
In this respect, I insist on reasserting that the Principality’s prime asset lies in the stability of its Institutions based on a hereditary constitutional monarchy.
This principle of government maintains my independence with respect to various constraints and above all unrest. It also exempts me from having to take sides for or against any side.
Beyond the person of the Prince, it is the Principality that benefits from this advantage granted by time and the capacity to maintain a certain distance.
Our Constitution of December 17th, 1962, has proven that it guarantees this stability.
Adjustments were brought on April 2nd, 2002, in view of Membership in the Council of Europe decided by my Father, no further constitutional changes being necessary.
Because the Executive comes under my authority, I give my instructions to the Minister of State for exercise of the Government.
At the same time, the Government maintains constant cooperation and dialogue with the National Council, as required in the accomplishment of Legislative work. My directives in this area aim above all to preserve the general interest, beyond any other contingency. It also behoves me to make certain legislative developments never stray from the framework of all our constitutional provisions.
Budget debates represent a key moment for reflecting together on the choices we make for Monaco and its future.
In the context of these debates, the well-being of the Monegasque people and the population, as well as the attention given to those who choose to work in Monaco or invest in the Principality also remain priorities.
These discussions, also placed in light of the general interest, must never give in to the temptation to politicking.
I would also like to tell you how shocked I am on reading repeated criticism against my country’s Justice, particularly when it refers to nationality or degree of seniority in the exercise of functions in Monaco.
Here, I would like to renew the expression of my trust in the Courts and Tribunals and wish them to continue exercising their Judiciary power in full impartiality.
We all contribute, regardless of our level of responsibility, to shaping Monaco’s prosperity. This requires tireless effort, today as much as in the past.
This prosperity rests largely on the climate of security of people and goods. I will do my utmost for this to remain one of our essential assets.
Furthermore, our society requires as much faire-savoir - information - as savoir-faire - know-how. This is why I persist in encouraging initiative and entrepreneurial spirit. We must open our doors to facilitate the establishment of all those who wish to innovate through promising, reliable projects that demonstrate their creative conquering spirit.
I would like to emphasize the dynamism of all the Principality’s economic players and my Government’s incentive role in offering favourable conditions for creating new companies here.
The publication, for the very first time, of the Principality’s Gross Domestic Product revealed the importance of the wealth created thanks to everyone’s work, which places us with the leaders among developed countries. This results from the system I wish to continue promoting in
Monaco, thanks to a market economy in which entrepreneurs, investors and employees all have their place and their raison d’être.
You know how concerned I am in this respect with furthering dialogue between management and labour in a serene constructive spirit.
Concerning finance, the report presented to my Government by a specialized firm also confirmed the soundness of the banking sector and its promising future, particularly in the area of alternative management and such niche activities as environmental and socially responsible finance.
Regarding the agenda for urban expansion in the sea that I promoted from the moment of my Accession, this is something on which the Government is working indefatigably.
Despite the difficulties inherent in a project of such magnitude, the studies underway have already been rich in discovery, lessons and innovations.
The groups that have submitted their candidature know how much importance I attach to the standards I have set up in environmental and architectural terms.
The diversity of the applicants’ approaches at this stage confirms the exceptional interest of this operation, which I hope will contribute to advancing scientific and maritime research.
As for the choice of cutting-edge facilities in this project, work is being pursued, since it is my ambition that the world’s greatest experts contribute their creative genius.
In the field of culture, I would like to reinforce the Principality’s international renown. Recently, celebration of the anniversaries of the
Philharmonic Orchestra and the Ballets de Monte-Carlo has further enhanced the prestige of these institutions, giving them new impetus.
The arrival of a new Director for the Opéra Garnier and the future appointment of a new Conductor for the Orchestra are further expressions of our ambition, which, along with the project for the new National Museum, will give the Principality international aura it deserves.
I also know how much the population of Monaco is legitimately attached to the quality of life. And environmental conservation is one of its essential components.
Today, environmental policy is at the core of my priorities.
It is by changing our way of thinking and altering our habits that we can empower ourselves and combine our will and solidarity.
This is why I created my Foundation in June 2006, so Monaco could add its contribution to this challenge. This Foundation’s mission is to identify emblematic priority projects and accelerate their implementation to achieve tangible results throughout the world in favour of fair, sustainable management of natural resources.
In February 2008, Monaco will host the Board meeting of UNEP, an international UN organization. One of the main themes of this meeting will be ‘Globalization & Environment, Economic Mobilization in the face of Climate Change’
With one of the world’s highest population densities, we must remain vigilant and find effective means for fighting pollution. My Government is doing so with great energy.
In the urban planning sector, public buildings will now be made according to the HEQ (High Environmental Quality) concept which privileges energy efficiency thanks to renewable energy.
I have also asked my Government to make the improvement of mobility one of the major orientations of its policy, so we can reduce the negative impact of traffic. Two actions have been undertaken in this respect: the implementation of a master plan for urban infrastructures and the development and implementation of a new urban traffic plan.
I am fully aware of the extent to which the various construction projects underway, often large in scale, are detrimental to the comfort of the population. Unfortunately, such disruption always accompanies major works undertaken to modernize a country.
Another essential element in our country’s quality of life lies in our actions in the area of health. This is why we have been developing for many years an efficient, affordable health system.
My aim is to maintain permanently the renowned establishment, Centre Hospitalier Princesse Grace, for the treatment of the most widespread pathologies as well as the development of certain specific reference activities. The Cardio-Thoracic Centre and the IM2S Sport Clinic are an ideal addition to this complex.
The major orientations of previous years have been confirmed because they are consistent with the Principality’s demographic management and priority needs, along with Monaco’s natural area of influence in terms of health care for a regional population of some 100,000 inhabitants.
For our senior citizens, my Government has set up a development plan to handle the quantitative and qualitative needs evaluated for the 2015-2020 horizon. The creation of new establishments as well as the renovation of existing facilities prove our will to meet the needs of our elderly population.
But, although our country has the duty to recognize its senior citizens, we must also look ahead.
Consequently, the Principality’s future rests on the quality of the education provided to our youth and the training they receive.
The brilliant results obtained by our students each year confirm that we have been right in choosing demanding policy we have set for ourselves in this area. And I aim for our efforts to be pursued in this quest for excellence.
I am delighted, too, that a generous system of scholarships encourages our young people to go abroad to receive solid higher education to prepare them for enriching professional lives.
As you have understood, it is with passion and determination that I have devoted myself in the past two years to the destiny of the Principality, so widely observed and so often envied.
Consequently, I invite the people of Monaco to unite behind me, away from any partisan disputes that could discredit our Institutions and our values.
I formulate the wish for everyone here to realize how fortunate they are to be able to live in so bountiful country.
In return, it is urgent for the State and its Institutions to receive the recognition and respect this extraordinary situation inspires.
Motivated by this state of mind, the Monegasque population must put its imagination and will in the service of consistent, generous ambition, in a world rich with hope. I am totally committed to this course, in full respect of the values we have made ours.
To that end, let us express our genuine pride and true passion for our country, so we can serve it as it deserves.
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