The Monaco prince announced a more modest plan for territorial expansion

Monaco - The Prince of Monaco, Albert II, wants to expand the territory of his city-state, squeezed between the Mediterranean Sea and the surrounding mountains, by at least five hectares at the expense of the sea. He stated this in an interview for today's newspaper Monaco-Matin. The new plan was announced less than a year after he announced the cancellation of the original project, which considered an expansion of up to fifteen hectares.
    The prince said he has asked his government to begin exploring options for a "moderate" expansion in the next year, which could initially amount to at least five hectares. This would involve the continuation of the Fontvieille district, whose residents look across a small bay at the "Rock," where the historical center of the city is located, including the princely palace. The sovereign would like to make a decision in 2013 to 2014.
    The original plan envisioned an expansion of about 15 hectares by 2014, nearly ten percent of the current area. It was projected to cost up to 280 billion crowns in today's terms. Leading world architects worked on preliminary studies, with American Daniel Libeskind and Brit Norman Foster reaching the final stages. However, last December the prince announced that he was halting the project due to the economic crisis and its possible negative impacts on the environment.
    In today's interview, he said that luxury and state apartments and commercial spaces totaling up to 300,000 square meters could be developed on the newly acquired land. This new district, according to him, should be exemplary in terms of utilizing renewable energy sources and the materials used.
    The need to expand the state’s territory is driven by the continuing growth in the population. In the past 40 years, the population has increased by one third to the current 32,500. The principality has already gained 20 hectares at the expense of the sea since the 1980s. It measures 1.95 square kilometers (195 hectares). After Vatican City, it is the second smallest country in the world.