Prince Albert II Supports Monaco's Delegation at the 20th Games of the Small States of Europe in Andorra
The Monegasque Sovereign attends various events, reinforcing support for athletes and collaboration among small European states.
Prince Albert II of Monaco, along with Mélanie-Antoinette de Massy and Lionel Beffre, Minister of the Interior, attended the opening ceremony of the 20th Games of the Small States of Europe (JPEE) held in Andorra on May 26, 2025. Prior to the ceremony, the Prince engaged in friendly interactions with the Monegasque delegation, underlining his continued support for the athletes.
Monday's schedule contained several significant events, including the JPEE general assembly, which announced Monaco's hosting of the 2027 edition, a conference of sports ministers, and a summit of heads of states.
Notable participants included Ambassador of Monaco to France Valérie Bruell-Melchior, Yvette Lambin Berti, Secretary General of the Monegasque Olympic Committee, Jean-Pierre Schoebel, President of the JPEE Technical Commission, and Mathias Raymond, Secretary General of the JPEE.
Before attending the opening ceremony, Prince Albert II celebrated the birthdays of several athletes from the Monegasque team, such as Léa Maric, Eliza Nikandrov, and Esteban Faure, in the afternoon.
Earlier that day, he visited multiple competition sites before returning to Monaco.
In parallel to the JPEE, leaders from nine small European states convened in Andorra la Vella, responding to an invitation from Andorran Prime Minister Xavier Espot Zamora.
The attending nations included Andorra, Monaco, Cyprus, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Montenegro, and San Marino.
This high-level meeting aimed to define a shared vision to address global challenges, emphasizing their collective commitment to democratic values and deepening cooperation.
The leaders articulated three strategic priorities for the future: enhancing multilateral cooperation to collectively tackle economic, social, and climate challenges; strengthening ties with the European Union and its institutions while respecting the unique characteristics of each state; and coordinating positions in international forums to amplify the voice of small states and advocate for shared values such as sustainable development, solidarity, free trade, and democracy.
The heads of state acknowledged the role of the Games of the Small States of Europe as a catalyst for cooperation among their peoples.
This sporting event is increasingly viewed as a diplomatic lever, with participants expressing a desire to integrate high-level political meetings with future editions.
Against a backdrop of global instability, this summit represents a strong message of commitment from small European states to dialogue, peace, and the rule of law.
Their collaborative efforts aim to enhance their visibility and collective influence within the European diplomatic landscape.
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