The Minister of the Interior of Monaco has provided an overview of the principality's efforts to enhance public safety and regulatory compliance in light of international scrutiny.

Placed on a gray list by the Financial Action Task Force, Monaco is committed to improving its international reputation while ensuring security on public streets.

The Minister emphasized the role of the Public Security in the joint effort to exit the gray list, which entails cooperation with various legal and economic stakeholders, including the Public Prosecutor's Office and the Monégasque Financial Security Authority (AMSF).

He highlighted the importance of concrete results in ongoing investigations led by law enforcement as crucial to this goal.

Responding to rising concerns regarding the historical ties between Monaco and Russia amidst the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, the Minister confirmed that all prospective residents are carefully vetted, ensuring equal scrutiny regardless of their nationality.

He noted that, thus far, the principality has not experienced significant issues, largely due to rigorous processes in residency applications.

The Minister reported improvements in the new asset identification group, which assists in unveiling illicit financial holdings.

He described the endeavor as detailed and time-consuming, aiming to provide comprehensive intelligence to judicial authorities.

In terms of intelligence sharing, Monaco has expanded its cooperation with France and the FBI, alongside prospective collaborations with Italian authorities.

The Minister stated that, with 141 nationalities residing in the principality, awareness of international developments remains vital.

To streamline residency permit issuance, Public Security Director Eric Arella is exploring proposals to reduce processing times, possibly through targeted increases in personnel or simplification of outdated procedures.

He noted that the ability to quickly issue permits is integral to maintaining Monaco’s attractiveness as a residential destination.

A bill addressing road safety is anticipated to be submitted imminently, focusing specifically on alcohol and drug-related offenses.

This initiative aims to enhance enforcement capabilities and impose stricter penalties without an exhaustive overhaul of existing traffic regulations.

Notably, law enforcement has increased monitoring following severe accidents in previous years, with a marked rise in infractions reported in early 2024.

The introduction of fixed speed cameras remains undecided as authorities prioritize addressing issues stemming from substance abuse over sheer speed enforcement.

Existing mobile speed detection mechanisms may see an increase in deployment following discussions about budget allocations.

The controversial topic of facial recognition technology has surfaced, with a proposed law intending to enable targeted identification of known threats without infringing on individual freedoms.

The Minister clarified that the initiative is not aimed at mass surveillance but rather focused on identifying individuals associated with criminal activities.

He highlighted the necessary safeguards embedded in the proposal, such as limiting searches to specific persons of interest, delineating authorized personnel, enforcing oversight by the Data Protection Authority, and restricting image retention to a maximum of 30 days.

Additionally, preceding the upcoming United Nations Ocean Conference, Monaco participated in a joint security exercise with French and Italian forces, designed to enhance interoperability and communication in emergency scenarios.

This exercise highlighted the principality's commitment to preparedness and collaborative safety measures.

Looking ahead, the planned state visit of President Macron in June will prompt special security protocols to manage the expected influx of international dignitaries, necessitating adjustments to local transportation and public access in anticipation of the event.