His Excellency Michel Roger, Minister of State of Monaco, is greeted by the Honourable Arnold Foote, president of the World Federation of Consuls, at the 10th World Congress of Consuls. Prime Minister Roger declared the Congress open on November 12.
Speech by
His Excellency the Minister of State
Monday 12th November 2012
President of the Federation,
Permanent Secretary,
President of the Association of Consuls in the Principality of Monaco
President of the Organising Committee,
Consuls,
Dear Friends,
All great initiatives start with a shared vision that inspires small groups of men and women who wish to work for the common good.
Thus, 30 years ago, a group of seven visionary people met in Denmark and decided to create the FICAC. Allow me to offer my special thoughts today for one of the founders of your outstanding organisation, the late Mr. Vagn Jaspersen, who, as Consul General, represented the Principality of Monaco in Denmark for more than 47 years, and who sadly passed away last year.
Today, the FICAC brings together several thousand consuls from 89 countries representing all five continents. Mr President, I would like to pay tribute to your commitment and emphasise the importance of the work you are undertaking with the Permanent Secretary so that this Organisation, which is recognised at the highest level by international bodies, may continue to gain renown and increase its visibility throughout the world.
I would now like to thank the Association of Honorary Consuls of Monaco, on my own behalf and on behalf of the Prince’s Government. I wish to express my ongoing appreciation for its dynamic approach and the initiatives taken by its president, in association with the members of its Bureau, who have worked so hard to make this meeting a success.
It is true that the ACHM, under the leadership of its president, Mr. Moustapha El-Solh, and its Bureau, has expanded its activities considerably, due to its involvement in both the economic and social life of the Principality and the help it offers to consuls of foreign powers with carrying out their duties.
Throughout 2012, the Association has been heavily involved in organising the 10th Congress. It has been able to attract the interest of the highest Monegasque authorities, in addition to that of its 75 members, so that every effort could be made to ensure the success of this event. I am delighted to take the opportunity today to thank the Organising Committee, and namely Mr. Panayotis Touliatos. This committee has put efficient welcoming procedures in place and has created optimal working conditions, making the principality a setting that is conducive to discussion, debate and the sharing of ideas that are central to the FICAC.
Finally, esteemed consuls, I would like to pay a sincere tribute to your activities, your dedication, your commitment and your availability, which serve to strengthen the links that unite the countries you live in and the States you represent.
I wish you every success with the work that will take place over these two days and I declare the 10th World Congress of Honorary Consuls in the Principality of
Monaco open.
