PACE President René van der Linden today expressed profound emotion at the death of Prince Rainier of Monaco, "a long-standing friend of the Council of Europe". René van der Linden recalled that Monaco consolidated its independence and prospered over the centuries largely thanks to the political acumen shown by the Grimaldi family. According to the PACE President, "the political vision and the resolve of Prince Rainier did much to achieve Monaco’s membership of the Council of Europe in October 2004". "I convey by deep sympathies and sincere friendship to the members of the Grimaldi family," he concluded.