1949-1994 - The first membership attempts
As the first Minister of State (Prime Minister) under Prince Rainier III, Jacques Rueff (1896-1978) spared no effort in 1949-1950 to ensure that Monaco could join the Council of Europe.
Taking up arms and reviewing troops in the Place du Palais de Monaco, by Jacques Rueff accompanied by Colonel Séverac, Supreme Commander of the Military Force, in the presence of Prince Rainier III, on April 11, 1950, Cl. Fausto Picedi, A.P.M.
As the first Minister of State (Prime Minister) under Prince Rainier III, Jacques Rueff (1896-1978) spared no effort in 1949-1950 to ensure that Monaco could join the Council of Europe. As early as July 1949, when the Organisation had just been established by the Treaty of London on May 5, Jacques Rueff approached Robert Schuman (1886-1963), the French Minister of Foreign Affairs, to get his support. Schuman confirmed his support to Monaco’s efforts, but warned on August 4: "Any application for admission requires careful preparation. […] Please trust me; I will do my best". The official application for membership to the Council of Europe was submitted by Monaco’s Minister of State on August 5, but was not acted upon.
"Memorandum for the admission of the Principality of Monaco to the Counci of Europe", July 25, 1949. Archives of the Palace of Monaco (A.P.M.)
Nevertheless, attempts at cooperation were made in the following years. The Principality, wishing to participate in the studies carried out on industrial property in Strasbourg, was appointed as an observer to the Committee of Experts, and a Monegasque delegation was formed.
In 1970, discussions took place on a possible cooperation between Monaco and the Organisation on a number of technical issues (pollution, economic, social, legal and cultural fields), but without materialising. The Principality joined the partial "EUR-OPA Major Hazards" agreement in 1990 and ratified two conventions in the cultural and environmental fields in 1994.
From white paper Myths and Realities, presenting arguments in favour of Monaco's accession to the Council of Europe, and containing a message from Prince Rainier III dated January 4, 1999, 21 p. A.P.M.
