On the picture Gilles Tonelli Government Counsellor for External Relations and International Cooperation of the Principality of Monaco.
By Baron Henri Estramant.
Former Monégasque ambassador to the Benelux countries, head of mission towards the EU and the OPCW, M Gilles Tonelli (b. 27 November 1957) succeeded M José Badia on 23 February 2015 and became once more member of Monaco’s Princely Government with the post of “Government Counsellor for External Relations and International Cooperation”, or shortly foreign minister.
Tonelli’s main mission shall concentrate in negotiating along with Andorra and San Marino an association agreement with the EU. He shall be seconded by Monaco’s Head of Government, Minister of State Michel Roger.
Gilles Tonelli served in the Princely Government between 2005 and 2006 and 2009 to 2011 as counsellor for equipment, environment and urbanisation. Between 2006 and 2009 he also held the portfolio of finances and economy. He was posted as ambassador in Brussels from 2011 to 2015 when he took over the José Badia.
New ambassador-designate for the Benelux countries and the EU is Madame Sophie Thevenoux, formerly ambassador of Monaco to France and Andorra between June 2011 and February 2015. She is the first Monégasque woman to have been appointed “government counsellor” (equivalent of minister in Monaco) in 2009 with the portfolio of finances and economy. In Paris she is due to be replaced by Madame Claude Cottalorda.
For more information:
Article of M Gilles Tonelli for DM:
https://diplomatmagazine.eu/2015/01/04/15313/
Monégasque External Relations: www.gouv.mc/Action-Gouvernementale/Monaco-a-l-International
