Digitization, Innovation and Energy: The President of Portugal on a three-day state visit to Belgium to strengthen cooperation

This official visit of the Portuguese Head of State aims to enhance cooperation between the two countries with regard to digitization, innovation and energy, according to the Royal Palace. This state visit takes place at the invitation of the Belgian Kings, who paid an official visit to Portugal in 2018.

The visit begins on Tuesday with an official reception at the Royal Palace. The Portuguese President will then lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Congress Square. On the political level, Mr. Rebelo de Sousa will meet with representatives of the Federal Parliament, Prime Minister Alexander De Croo and Foreign Minister Hajja Habib.

The Portuguese President will then head to the Grand-Place to meet with the Mayor of Brussels, Philippe Close, before meeting with the President of the Belgian Business Confederation.

The day will end with a state banquet hosted by King Philippe and Queen Mathilde at Laeken Castle.

Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa will be received on Wednesday in Namur, where he will visit the Pavilion, an exhibition and innovation space dedicated to digital cultures. At the University of Namur, he will speak informally with Portuguese students within the institution. The university component will continue in the capital with a conference for the Portuguese President at the Free University of Brussels.

On Thursday, the delegation will travel to the north of the country, specifically to the port of Zeebrugge and the city of Bruges.

In Portugal, the President is the head of state who embodies national unity. He does not have as many executive powers as the prime minister, but he occupies an important position in the political system as a guarantor of the constitution and a representative of the state abroad.