SIGNATURE OF AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND THE PRINCIPALITY MONACO ON THE SHARING OF FUNDS RESULTING FROM CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES OF CONFISCATED GOODS

On Saturday, March 24, 2007, at the Monaco Courthouse, the Principality of Monaco and the United States of America reached an agreement on the sharing of funds resulting from criminal activities or confiscated goods. 

His Excellency Mr. Craig R. Stapleton, American ambassador to France and Monaco, will sign the agreement on behalf of his country, while Mr. Philippe Narmino, Director of Judicial Services and President of the State Council, will sign for the Principality of Monaco.

This accord is the result of negotiations that took place throughout 2006 between representatives of the United States Department of Justice under the direction of Mr. Philip J. Breeden, U.S. Consul General in Marseille, and the justices and magistrates of Monaco headed by Mr. Philippe Narmino. 

The participation of the U.S. Ambassador is indicative of the importance of this agreement for judicial cooperation.  With this agreement, the authorities of both countries have established a procedure for the sharing of criminal funds or goods that have been confiscated in either one of the two countries.  This accord also implies a cooperation between the American and Monégasque judiciary authorities while conducting criminal investigations that led to the seizure of goods or funds whether in the U.S. or in Monaco.

Among the American and Monégasque personalities scheduled to attend the signing of the Agreement are His Excellency Mr. Jean-Paul Proust, Monaco’s Minister of State; Mr. Henri Fissore, Monaco’s Counselor for Foreign Relations; Mr. Laurent Anselmi, Counselor at H.S.H. Prince Albert’s Cabinet; and Mr. Philip J. Breeden, Consul General of the United States of America in Marseille.