Lankan Ambassador presents credentials to Prince Albert II of Monaco

The Ambassador of Sri Lanka Manisha Gunasekera presented her Letters of Credence to Prince Albert II of the Principality of Monaco at the Salon des Glaces, Prince’s Palace in Monaco on 17 October 2024.

The formal Presentation of Credentials was followed by a meeting with Prince Albert II in which the Ambassador conveyed the warm greetings and best wishes of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to the Prince of Monaco. Reciprocating the sentiments, Prince Albert II conveyed his warm greetings to President Dissanayake, as well as his felicitations on the latter’s recent election as President with a decisive mandate from the people of Sri Lanka. The meeting entailed discussion on areas of shared interest between Sri Lanka and Monaco, with a focus on cooperation in multilateral fora, i.e. ocean conservation, environmental protection and sustainable development.

Reference was made to the work of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation which is dedicated to the protection of the environment and the promotion of sustainable development on a global scale.  Recalling the visit of Prince Albert to Sri Lanka in March 2005 in his capacity as the then Hereditary Prince of Monaco, the Ambassador expressed Sri Lanka’s deep appreciation for the support extended by the Monégasque Principality following the Indian Ocean Tsunami, and its continued support towards the socio-economic development of Sri Lanka. The discussion also focussed on means of further strengthening trade, investment and tourism ties between Sri Lanka and the Principality.  The Credentials ceremony was preceded by a Guard of Honour.

The Director of Diplomatic and Consular Relations Mme. Marie Catherine Caruso-Ravera representing the Monagesque Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation hosted a lunch in honour of the four Ambassadors who presented Credentials. The lunch was followed by a brief bilateral meeting by the Ambassador with Director Caruso-Ravera where areas of synergy in the bilateral partnership as well as future cooperation were discussed.

The Ambassador also met with the Secretary-General of the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) Dr. Mathias Jonas on 17 October in his Office. Secretary-General Jonas apprised the Ambassador on the work carried out by IHO, which is headquartered in Monaco, in surveying and charting the world’s seas, oceans and navigable waters, thereby supporting safety of navigation and protection of the marine environment.