The President of the Portuguese Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, is set to attend a significant diplomatic event in Coimbra alongside the King of Spain and the President of Italy on Tuesday and Wednesday. This gathering, known as the 18th Cotec Europa summit, will bring together business leaders, academics, and policymakers from Portugal, Spain, and Italy to discuss the future of European competitiveness. Distinguished figures such as Professor Mario Draghi are expected to contribute to the dialogue.
Moreover, President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa will also lead the ceremony at the University of Coimbra on Tuesday, where honorary doctorates will be conferred upon King Felipe VI of Spain and President Sergio Mattarella of Italy. Cotec Europa meetings, held annually and hosted alternately by Spain, Italy, and Portugal, serve as a platform for members from the Cotec business associations of each nation.
The event in Coimbra coincides with the final week of official campaigning for Portugal’s early legislative elections slated for May 18. Historically, President Rebelo de Sousa has been a regular attendee at these summits with the Heads of State from Spain and Italy. However, he was absent from the previous meeting in September last year in Las Palmas, due to the wildfires in Portugal.
