FOREIGN
RELATIONS
Monaco
actively participates in the United Nations, which it joined in
1993. Monaco joined the Council of Europe on October 4, 2004.
Monaco also is a member of many international and intergovernmental
organizations, including Interpol, the UN Educational, Scientific,
and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), and the World Health Organization
(WHO). The International Hydrographic Bureau (IHB) is headquartered
in Monaco.
The Principality
of Monaco is a sovereign and independent state, linked closely
to France by the Treaty of July 1918, which was formally noted
in Article 436 of the Treaty of Versailles of 1919. The foreign
policy of Monaco is one illustration of this accord: France has
agreed to defend the independence and sovereignty of Monaco, while
the Monegasque Government has agreed to exercise its sovereign
rights in conformity with French interests. Since then, the relations
between the sovereign states of France and Monaco have been further
defined in the Treaty of 1945 and the Agreement of 1963.
In 2002, Monaco renegotiated its 1918 treaty with France. In 2005, it was ratified by both parties and entered into force. The terms of the treaty:
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Upgrade France's representation in Monaco from Consulate General to that of an embassy;
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Permit, for the first time, other countries to accredit ambassadors to Monaco; and
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Formally recognize the succession scheme set out in the 1962 Constitution, which extends eligibility to the Prince's daughters and other family members.
Although not a member of the European Union (EU), Monaco is closely
associated with the economic apparatus of the EU through its customs
union with France and its reliance upon the euro as its official
currency.
Monaco
has 10 diplomatic missions in Western Europe and permanent representation
at the United Nations and the Council of Europe. It maintains
honorary consulates in 106 cities in 45 countries. Seventy-four
countries have consulates general, consulates, or honorary consulates
in or accredited to Monaco.
U.S.-MONACO
RELATIONS
The United States and Monaco enjoy excellent relations, which both countries seek to maintain and strengthen. From 1956 until her death in 1982, the American-born Grace Kelly was married to Prince Rainier III, Prince Albert's father. The United States does not yet have a diplomatic mission located in Monaco.
In December 2006, the United States and Monaco upgraded from consular to full diplomatic relations. Shortly after, Ambassador Craig Stapleton (France) was accredited to Monaco, and Ambassador Gilles Noghes became the first Monegasque ambassador to the United States.
Principal U.S. Official
Ambassador (Paris, France)--Craig Stapleton
The U.S. Embassy in France is located at 2 Avenue Gabriel, Paris 8 (tel. [33] (1) 4312-2222). The U.S. Consulate General at Marseille is located at Place Varian Fry, 13286 Marseille Cedex 6 (tel. [33]-(4)-91-54-92-00).
