Estonian Honorary Consul in Monaco Becomes Entrepreneur and Investor Roberto de Silvestri
On Thursday, June 6, 2024, at a ceremonial event, Estonian entrepreneur and investor Roberto de Silvestri was appointed Honorary Consul of Estonia in the Principality of Monaco, and he is also actively involved in Estonia's real estate and financial sectors.
Roberto de Silvestri said that he sees his main task as strengthening relations between the two countries, assisting people with consular services, and creating business contacts between Estonian and Monegasque companies. "Monaco is indeed one of the world's smallest countries, with only about 40,000 permanent residents, but the contribution of Monegasque entrepreneurs as investors to the Estonian economy is likely the largest per capita in the world. In recent years, the Estonian community living in Monaco has also grown. Additionally, Monaco has become an increasingly popular destination for Estonian tourists due to good flight connections to the French Riviera," explained de Silvestri.
"The role of honorary consuls is of great importance for Estonia. An honorary consul creates business and cultural ties between two countries and strengthens communities," emphasized Estonian Ambassador to France and Monaco Lembit Uibo. According to the ambassador, there are many opportunities to promote bilateral relations between Monaco and Estonia. "Roberto de Silvestri is the right person for this with his unique experience and thorough knowledge of both countries," confirmed Ambassador Lembit Uibo.
The ceremonial appointment of the honorary consul took place on Thursday evening, June 6, 2024, in front of Monaco's world-famous Monte Carlo Casino, and was attended by over 200 guests, including representatives of both countries, entrepreneurs, and other active citizens. Estonia was represented by the Deputy Chancellor of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation Mariin Ratnik and Estonian Ambassador to France Lembit Uibo. The representatives of the Principality of Monaco included Advisor to Prince Albert II's Cabinet Julie Donati, President of the Monaco Honorary Consuls Association Marc Lecourt, Director of Monaco's Diplomatic and Consular Relations Marie-Catherine Ravéra-Caruso, Secretary of the Monaco Honorary Consuls Association Colonel Thierry Jouan, and other high-ranking representatives and honorary consuls.
Roberto de Silvestri sees great potential in advancing relations between Estonia and Monaco for both countries. "Estonia, like Monaco, is also a small country, but an absolute leader in Europe in the digital field. Estonia can show Monaco how to digitalize various public services, such as the healthcare system. Monaco, on the other hand, is home to many of the world's leading investors and is therefore an important economic partner for Estonia in attracting foreign investment. In today's geopolitical situation, it is especially important to strengthen diplomatic ties and share information about developments in the Baltic region. Estonia needs to be made more visible," emphasized Honorary Consul Roberto de Silvestri.
Living in Monaco since 1995 and first visiting Estonia in 1998, Roberto de Silvestri has been working as an entrepreneur, investor, and investment intermediary in Estonia since 2002. Through his real estate company Colonna, approximately 400 million euros have been invested in the Baltic real estate market in recent years, with a large portion coming from Monaco investors. Roberto de Silvestri is also one of the owners and first investors in the internationally successful Estonian financial institution Inbank.
In addition, Roberto de Silvestri is active in charity work. In 2018, he founded the Colonna Charity Fund, which through its grants has helped the maternity departments of Pelgulinna and East Tallinn Central Hospital as well as doctors from several regional hospitals save lives and provide assistance to hundreds of children over the years.
Nearly two hundred honorary consuls of the Estonian Republic play an important role in representing Estonian interests in the world. Honorary consuls are respected and highly positioned individuals in their country of residence who help the Estonian state reach the most distant corners of the world. Their main tasks are to provide consular services and consular assistance to Estonian citizens abroad and to promote economic relations by creating necessary contacts for Estonian entrepreneurs. An honorary consul does not receive a salary from the Estonian state for the performance of their duties.
The Estonian Honorary Consulate in the Principality of Monaco was opened in 2005. The Estonian Honorary Consul in Monaco from 2005-2024 was Count Mauno Serra. Roberto de Silvestri is the second Estonian Honorary Consul in Monaco. The Monaco Honorary Consulate operates at Château Perigord 1, 98000 Monaco.
Located on the Mediterranean coast on the French Riviera, the Principality of Monaco is the world's second smallest city-state after Vatican City, with approximately 40,000 inhabitants living in an area of about 2 square kilometers, making it the most densely populated country in the world. Monaco has a constitutional monarchy and its ruler is Prince Albert II. The Prince and the Minister of State have executive power. Estonia and Monaco established diplomatic relations on February 7, 2008.
Prince Albert II has visited Estonia three times: in February 2008 and June 2011, and also as Crown Prince visited Estonia in autumn 2002 in connection with Monaco's football team's participation in the Stars Cup in Tallinn.
