The Year of Russia in Monaco

By Vestnik Kavkaza

Tense relations with European countries didn’t prevent the declaration of 2015 as the Year of Russia in Monaco. This was decided in October 2013 by Prince of Monaco Albert II and the President of Russia Vladimir Putin, after an official visit by the Prince to Moscow.

“We are neither France nor Italy; we are a separate state, and we love the Russian people. We have close ties, even though Monaco is a very small country, while Russia is very big,” residents of the principality say.

The head of the government of the principality Michel Roger thinks that “the Year of Russia in the Principality of Monaco will enable people to learn about the history, traditions and culture of Russia, and remind about the ties which have been existing between our countries for 150 years. Arrangements will be organized with a focus on culture, however, other aspects of cooperation between our states will be touched on as well – education, science, the economy, sports, environmental preservation, food traditions, fashion, and even intellectual games, including chess.”

According to Roger, “it is a part of very close cooperation and enthusiastic involvement of numerous Russian and Monacan activists, representatives of the authorities, various associations, and private companies.”

He also spoke about the life of the country, which was usually covered with prejudices: “When we speak about Monaco, we imagine some pictures – the Monaco Grand Prix, the princely family, the casino. But these pictures are only a part of Monacan life. Monaco is a real country with a real population, economic activity, and strong identity. Its territory is only two square km. It is the smallest UN member country in the world. However, about 129 nationalities live on the small territory. Monaco has 37 thousand residents, 8,600 of them are citizens of Monaco, and 450 are citizens of Russia. Every day 38 thousand people come to Monaco for work.”

Independence and sovereignty are important for Monaco. It is achieved due to the current economic policy. “There are 5 thousand enterprises in Monaco, which annually create about 1000 jobs. The GDP of Monaco is 4.94 billion euros; in 2013 it grew by 9.3%. It is important for Monaco to have a budget without deficit and debts… We have had no income tax since the 19th century. At the same time, Monaco is not a tax-free territory, as 75% of budget revenues come from taxes. In 2009 the principality began a process of signing bilateral agreements on exchange with tax information. By the present day we have 30 such agreements; 25 of them are operating, and the Minister of Economy and Finances controls the process.”

Despite the small territory, Monaco has some weight in the international arena, actively participating in global politics. “Monaco is a small, but independent member of the UN; our currency is the euro, but we don’t want to join the EU. Monaco is a member of the Council of Europe, as well as Russia. And our positions in the Council of Europe often coincide.”