Canada - Monaco Relations

In Monaco, Canada is represented by the Embassy of Canada in France. Canada also has a consulate in Monte Carlo.

In Canada, Monaco is represented by honorary consulates in Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver. Monaco has official diplomatic representation in only 10 European countries, in the United States, on the Council of Europe and at the United Nations. Elsewhere, as in Canada, the Principality’s interests are represented by Honorary Consulates.

Canada maintains good bilateral relations with Monaco, centered mainly on strong Canadian tourism to Monaco every year. The late Prince Rainier’s last official visit to Canada dates back to 1967, on the occasion of the World’s Fair in Montreal. Prince Albert II has made private visits to Canada on a regular basis, particularly for winter sports outings. He made an official visit in June 1998, with discussions focussing on La Francophonie, the Olympics, multimedia and university exchanges. His first participation as an Olympic athlete dates back to the 1988 Calgary Winter Games, and because of this experience, the Prince maintains bonds of friendship with Canada.

As a member of the International Olympic Committee, the Prince supported Vancouver’s bid for the 2010 Winter Games. In 2008, Prince Albert II visited Quebec for the 400th Anniversary and the Francophonie Summit. Driven by his concerns about environmental issues, Prince Albert funded a Canadian Branch of his foundation (Prince Albert II) which will have the objective of evaluating the biodiversity of Northeastern Quebec. In conjunction with the Francophonie Summit in October 2008, Prince Albert II (on behalf of his foundation) and Guy Laliberté (of the One Drop Foundation and Cirque du Soleil) signed a cooperation agreement.

High-level meetings between Canada and Monaco are rare, the most recent being the meeting between former Prime Minister Jean Chrétien and Monaco’s then Minister of Finance and the Economy, Franck Biancheri, on September 16, 2003, in Quebec City, during the World Chambers of Commerce Congress. Mr. Biancheri was accompanied by a business delegation on a trip to Canada to explore investment opportunities.

Canada values its cooperation with Monaco particularly within the framework of a number of international institutions. La Francophonie is the main forum in which we maintain active diplomatic relations with Monaco. Bilaterally, the Ambassador of Canada in Paris, and the Honorary Consul of Canada meet regularly with Monaco’s Minister of State and other ministers.

January 2009

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