Almost exactly one year to the day after the signing of the Paris Agreements (8th November 2005), the Minister of State highlighted the positive impact the agreements have had on the Principality. First and foremost as far as external relations are concerned: “Diplomatic relations are being established in both directions”. Consequently, several attainments have been realized: the accreditation of foreign Ambassadors (for the Holy See, Switzerland and China, the establishment of an Embassy of Monaco in Washington and a Consulate General in London). Other changes are imminent, such as the accreditation of the Ambassador of Monaco in Paris or are well under way, such as the establishment of a Consulate in Beijing. In order to support such rapid development, the Department of external Relations, which was set up two years ago, should soon be granted additional funds (amounting to 260,000 euros per annum). Counselor Henri Fissore has also announced the establishment of three Departments, including four new posts. Obviously, all these changes need to be endorsed by the National Council within the framework of the vote on the budget and submitted for the approval of the Sovereign Prince. Although no further diplomatic action will be carried out this year, various actions is on the agenda for 2007, such as increasing the portfolio of certain Ambassadors and the setting up of five additional honorary consulates, including Beijing. Monaco will thus benefit from a key presence, in the light of major events such as the 2008 Olympic Games and the World Exhibition in Shanghai. The second current affairs topic: improving access to Monaco by train. Within the framework of the partnership between the SNCF and the Monaco Government, the latter is currently finalizing a Convention that will enable 5 new trains to be acquired for a total of 50 million euros. «In return for this investment, the Principality has asked the SNCF to make a commitment with regard to service», specified Robert Calcagno, Government Counselor for Facilities, the Environment and Urban Planning. The requirements set forth by the Principality include improved frequency of trains (one train every quarter of an hour at peak hours, one every half hour at off-peak hours…), high-quality service (aimed at offering travelers clean facilities and providing them information on a regular basis) and creating relay car parks… “The agreement provides for performance criteria within these various areas”, underlined Robert Calcagno. Therefore, the “SNCF will be penalized for any shortfalls”. To complete these measures, other agreements are currently under way at a regional level and with regard to neighboring towns (the creation of a multimodal pole in Nice). All the stops have been pulled out to improve the daily routine of “commuters” traveling into Monaco by train.You must be logged in to post a comment.