INFORMATION CONCERNING THE 21STANNUAL SESSIONOF THE OSCE PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLYV

ENUE OF THE

ESSION

Congress Centre “Grimaldi Forum Monaco”10 avenue Princesse GrâceMC 98000 MonacoMonacoTel: (+377) 99 99 20 00Fax: (+377) 99 99 22 01All meetings will be held at the Congress Centre “Grimaldi Forum Monaco”. In co-operation with the Touristand Convention Authority, the National Council of the Principality of Monaco will make the arrangementsfor the Annual Session. For information please contact the staff listed below:Tourist and Convention AuthorityMrs Flavie Bonnin-Novaretti2a boulevard des Moulins, 98000 MonacoTel: (+377) 92 16 60 53Fax: (+377) 92 16 61 35E‐mail:[email protected]International Secretariat of the OSCE Parliamentary AssemblyMrs. Odile Lelarge, Conference Co-ordinatorTordenskjoldsgade 1, 1055 Copenhagen K., DenmarkTel: (+45) 33 37 80 34Fax: (+45) 33 37 80 30E‐mail:[email protected]H

OTELS AND

CCOMMODATION

Hotels available for the Annual Session are indicated inAnnex A.All reservations must be made by sendingthe hotel reservation form (AnnexA – 2 pages)to Mrs. Flavie Bonnin-Novaretti at the Tourist andConvention Authority, by email:[email protected]or by fax: (+377) 92 16 61 35.A copy must also be sent to Mrs Odile Lelarge at the International Secretariat of the OSCE ParliamentaryAssembly,by e‐mail:[email protected]or by fax: (+45) 33 37 80 30.Secretaries of Delegation who wish to make group reservations must fill in a form for each participant.Reservations must be completed by 31 May 2012 at the latest.Reservation forms submitted later than 31May 2012 will be subject to availability.Given the limited number of rooms available, reservations will be treated in order of arrival.Please makesure to read the hotel cancellation policy in Annex A.For further information on the services offered byeach hotel, we recommend that you consult the following websites:Hôtel Hermitage :Fairmont Monte Carlo :Méridien Beach Plaza :Monte-Carlo Bay :Novotel Monte-Carlo :Columbus Monte-Carlo :www.hotelhermitagemontecarlo.comwww.fairmont.com/fr/MonteCarlowww.lemeridienmontecarlo.comwww.montecarlobay.comhttp://www.novotel.com/gb/hotel-5275-novotel-monte-carlo/index.shtmlwww.columbushotels.com

EGISTRATION

The registration form (AnnexB)must be sent toMrs. Odile Lelarge at the International Secretariat of theOSCE Parliamentary Assembly(fax: + 45 33 37 80 30 ; e-mail: [email protected] )before 31 May 2012.Wekindly ask you to send a copy of the registration form to Mrs. Flavie Bonnin-Novaretti (fax: (+377) 92 166135 / e-mail:[email protected]).The registration desk will be open in the lobby of the Grimaldi Forum from 12:00 to 20:00 on Wednesday4 July.For the remainder of the Annual Session, registration will be open every day from 08:00. Pleaseregister as soon as possible after your arrival in Monaco. Participants and accompanying persons will beable to collect their identity badges, conference bags and further conference information upon registrationat the Grimaldi Forum only.T

RAVEL TO

ONACO

Participants are kindly requested to indicate their flight references as well as their dates of arrival anddeparture both in the registration form and the hotel reservation form, in order to facilitate theirtransfer.Nice Côte d’Azur Airportis the main airport to enter Monaco. It is located approximately 30 km away fromthe convention centre. A welcome service will be located in the arrivals area to greet the participants andhelp with any matter that might occur. There will only be organized transport from and to this airport.Buses to the hotels will be provided on Tuesday 3 and Wednesday 4 July, and on Monday 9 and Tuesday10 July for departure from the hotels.Information on flight schedules is available at: www.nice.aeroport.frParticipants arriving on any other dates should use a taxi (30-40 minutes journey). The drive costsapproximately 100 €. Tipping the driver is not required.They can also use the Nice Airport Xpress shuttle (line 110) which runs every 30 minutes between NiceAirport and Monaco ( for time schedule and fare, please consult : www.niceairportxpress.com)S

PECIAL

EEDS

The Secretaries of Delegation should inform Mrs. Flavie Bonnin-Novaretti ([email protected] ) of guestswith special needs in order to make the necessary transportation and other arrangements in advance.V

ISAS

To enter the Monegasque territory it is necessary to travel through the French territory.Entering and staying on the Monegasque territory is subject to holding a valid passport or other forms oftravel documents with the necessary authorizations required by the French authorities, permittingentrance in France. Visa applications should be made in the participant’s country of residence, through theFrench Embassy or Consulate or any other country that is party to the Schengen agreement.Even though the Principality of Monaco is a sovereign and independent state, there are no borderformalities crossing to and from France.A valid Schengen visa allows you to enter and stay on the territory of the Principality of Monaco and Francefor a period that does not exceed 90 days.

We recommend that you contact the French authorities in your country of residence to check all theformalities necessary to obtain a visa well in advance of the Annual Session.InAnnex C,you will find the list of countries whose citizens require visas to enter France, along withcontact information for the French embassies in these countries.C

USTOMS

For customs regulations on items imported into France and the Principality of Monaco, see the website ofthe French customs: www.douane.gouv.frT

RANSPORTATION DURING THE

NNUAL

ESSION

Coach transport will be provided between the selected hotels and the Grimaldi Forum for each session aswell as for all social functions and for the accompanying persons’ programme. Transportation schedules willbe available at the information desks at the hotels and at the Grimaldi Forum. We kindly ask you to respectthe bus departure schedule. Please note that some of the hotels are within walking distance from theconference venue.I

NFORMATION AND

OSPITALITY

ESK

The information desk will be open in the lobby of the Grimaldi Forum throughout the Annual Session. Allinformation for accompanying persons will be provided at the nearby hospitality desk. There will also behospitality desks at the hotels.S

ECURITY

All participants, including accompanying persons, observers, delegation staff and members of the press willbe required to wear identity badges at all meetings and social functions, as well as for all transportorganized for the session. There will be access control measures at the Grimaldi Forum.There will be no admittance to any programme functions without the appropriate identity badge. In caseof loss of your personal badge, please report to the registration desk immediately.For security reasons, participants should also be in possession of some other means of identification and beprepared for identity checks.I

NTERPRETATION

During the session, simultaneous interpretation will be provided in the six official OSCE languages (English,French, German, Italian, Russian and Spanish).I

NSURANCE

Personal and medical insurance is the responsibility of the individual participant. The National Council ofMonaco will not be responsible for any loss of luggage, currency or personal effects, or any medical costs.E

MBASSIES AND

ONSULATES

A list of foreign embassies and consulates in Monaco, including contact information is available on theDiplomatic Missions page of the Department of External Relations of the Principality of Monaco:www.diplomatie.gouv.mcForeign embassies and consulates in Monaco will be informed of the Session and the evening of Sunday 8July has been reserved for hospitality by the diplomatic missions.

CCOMPANYING

ERSONS

A programme for accompanying persons will be arranged while delegates are engaged in conferencesessions. Accompanying persons are also welcome to join the guided tour on Friday afternoon 6 July as wellas evening functions/receptions. The accompanying persons programme will be available to orange badgeholders only. Accompanying persons are requested to sign up for the excursions they would like toparticipate at the information desk of the Grimaldi Forum by 6 July at 16:00. They are asked to wear theirbadges during every part of the programme.D

RESS

ODE

Business attire (or an appropriate equivalent for ladies) is required for formal occasions. Casual wear (andcomfortable footwear) is suitable and recommended for the excursion on Friday afternoon 6 July and theaccompanying persons programme.Given the hot weather conditions in July, we recommend the use of light clothing adapted to heavy heat.M

EDICAL

ACILITIES

A first aid facility will be available for participants at the Grimaldi Forum throughout the session. However,illness requiring medical treatment or hospitalization is the responsibility of the individual. Delegates takingmedicine should bring enough to cover their needs, take a copy of the prescriptions with them, and ensurethat they have adequate health insurance. Delegates should not forget to bring their health insurance cardor documents. If you were to face medical expenses, these documents would allow your reimbursmentupon return.C

ATERING

There are two restaurants and cafes in the Grimaldi Forum. Also, several restaurants and cafes are in theclose vicinity of the Grimaldi Forum. Upon their arrival in Monaco, the participants will be provided with alist of restaurants and cafes. Tipping in Monaco is optional. However, it is usual to leave a tip in a restaurantif you are happy with the service. A ten per cent tip is considered generous.C

LIMATE

The daytime temperature in Monaco in July is between 25�C (low) and 30�C (high). Although mostly sunnyor slightly cloudy, the weather can be unpredictable, and summer rainfall is not uncommon. In theconference period the sun rises approximately at 06:00 and sets at approximately 21:15.T

IME

Monaco standard time zone is GMT +1 hour.C

URRENCY

The currency used in Monaco is the Euro (€), which is the only currency acceptable for payment. All majorcredit cards are accepted in hotels, restaurants, cafes, supermarkets and taxis. Cash can be obtained fromATMs or at the nearest bank.B

ANKING

ERVICES

Working hours of banks in Monaco in July is from 08:30 to 12:00 and from 13:30 to 17:00. Please note thatbanks are closed on Saturdays and Sundays. Money can also be exchanged at the hotels and at the officialexchange offices in the city centre.An ATM will be available inside the Grimaldi Forum.

LECTRICITY

The voltage in Monaco is 220V and European style two-pin sockets are used.T

ELECOMMUNICATIONS

The international code for Monaco is +377. There will be internet and fax available at the Grimaldi Forum.For availability of internet and fax at the hotels, see information on hotels amenities on hotel websites.S

MOKING

Smoking is prohibited inside all public buildings, restaurants, bars and public transportation.C

ITY AND

ONFERENCE

NFORMATION

The National Council’s website,www.conseil-national.mc,will be updated with conference-relatedinformation in English. The websitewww.visitmonaco.comcontains tourist and practical information aboutthe city.