Monaco, officially the Principality of Monaco, is a sovereign city-state and microstate on the French Riviera a few kilometres west of the Italian region of Liguria, in Western Europe, on the Mediterranean Sea. It is a semi-enclave bordered by France to the north, east and west. The principality is home to 38,682 residents, of whom 9,486 are Monégasque nationals; it is widely recognised as one of the wealthiest and most expensive places in the world. The official language of the principality is French. In addition, Monégasque, English and Italian are spoken and understood by many residents.
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, whilst at the same time maintaining complete independence. 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.
Albert II is Prince of Monaco, reigning since 2005.
"Hymne Monégasque", also known as "A Marcia de Muneghu", is the national anthem of Monaco. It was originally adopted in 1848 with French lyrics by Théophile Bellando de Castro and music by Bellando and Castil-Blaze. The current official lyrics, which are in Monégasque, were written in 1931 by Louis Notari, while the current musical arrangement was composed in 1914 by Léon Jehin.
The Compagnie des Carabiniers du Prince is the Infantry branch of the Force Publique, and one of the limited number of militaries that recruits foreigners. Although Monaco's defence is the responsibility of France, Monaco maintains a small force for the protection of the Sovereign and the Prince's Palace. Formed by Prince Honoré IV in 1817, the unit was re-organized in 1909.
Monaco and the United States exchanged consular officials soon after the end of the U.S. Civil War. The first consul from Monaco to the US was Louis Borg, who presented his credentials in May 1866.
Monaco–Russia relations is the bilateral relationship between the Principality of Monaco and the Russian Federation.
Christian Louis de Massy, Baron de Massy is the son of Princess Antoinette of Monaco, Baroness de Massy, and her husband, international tennis champion Alexandre-Athenase Noghès. His grandfather, Antony Noghès, created the world-famous Monaco Grand Prix. He was one of the two page boys at the wedding of his uncle Rainier III with Grace Kelly.
Monaco does not have a visa policy of its own and the Schengen Visa policy applies. Although Monaco is not part of the European Union, or the Schengen Agreement, its territory is part of the Schengen Area by virtue of its customs Union with France as a result of the "Convention on Good Neighbourly Relations of 18 May 1963 on the entry, stay and establishment of foreigners in Monaco" between France and Monaco. The 1963 convention was adapted to allow Monaco to be administered within the Schengen Area as if it were part of France.
Monacair is a Monegasque helicopter company based at Monaco Heliport, Monaco. The airline provides various services, including regular helicopter transfers between Nice Côte d'Azur Airport and Monaco, private flights and luxury experiences, helicopter tours, as well as helicopter maintenance, management, and handling services.
Maguy Maccario Doyle is Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Principality of Monaco to the United States and Canada, as of 2013 and 2014 respectively, and Monaco's Permanent Observer to the Organization of American States.
Sophie Thévenoux is a Monegasque politician and diplomat.
The Prince's Band of Carabiniers is a part-time military band assigned to provide musical support to the Prince Albert II of Monaco, who is the head of state and the ceremonial head of the Force Publique. Its home unit is the Compagnie des Carabiniers du Prince, which is responsible for the country's defence. All members of the band are trained dually music and in the trades of non-band members. The 26-members of the band are referred to as "rifle-musicians" while the band director is titled a Maréchal des Logis Chef. In 1978, the title of "Fanfare de la Companies des Carabiniers" was adopted.
The nations of Mexico and Monaco established diplomatic relations in 1881. Both nations are members of the United Nations.
Commission Supérieure des Comptes is a supreme public audit institution in the Principality of Monaco. Its main functions are audit of the accounts, budgetary and financial management of Monaco, the commune and public institutions. The Board of Auditors is required to submit annual reports to the Prince of Monaco. The reports provide the analysis of the accounts of the State of Monaco and are available on the official portal of the Board of Auditors. The Board of Auditors is a member of the International Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions (INTOSAI). Current Chairman of the Board is Jean-Pierre Gastinel, the Honorary Chamber President at the Court of Auditors (Paris).
The Treaty of Stupinigi was signed on November 8 and 10 1817, in Stupinigi between Honoré V, Prince of Monaco, and Victor Emmanuel I of Sardinia.
Holy See–Monaco relations are bilateral relations between the Principality of Monaco and the Holy See. The principal Monégasque official is Ambassador Claude Giordan, who officially started at his position in November 2015. The Holy See is represented by its Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Antonio Arcari, who assumed office on May 25, 2019. The Embassy of Monaco to the Holy See is located in Rome, on Largo Spinelli. The Apostolic Nunciature to Monaco is non-residing as the nuncio currently resides in Rome.
The Free Cities of Menton and Roquebrune was the name given to the union of the two free cities of Menton and Roquebrune during the Revolutions of 1848 related to the Italian Risorgimento. They came into existence after seceding from the Principality of Monaco in May 1848. After a brief period of autonomy from, the free cities became protectorates of the Italian kingdom of Sardinia in May 1849.
Indonesia–Monaco relations refer to foreign relations between the Republic of Indonesia and the Principality of Monaco. Due to the resemblance of the colors red and white on their flags, the Monégasque government asked Indonesia to modify its flag during the International Hydrographic Congress on 29 April 1952. Ultimately, Monaco and Indonesia came to an agreement by defining the proportions of their flags differently from one another. Monaco's is 4:5, while Indonesia's is 2:3. The two nations are members of the United Nations.
