Welcoming the King of Spain and the President of Portugal, EP President Roberta Metsola said: “Forty years ago, Spain and Portugal took their place in the European family, opening a chapter of freedom and opportunity that changed lives. In turn, they have helped shape Europe in lasting ways. That shared journey reminds us that Europe is always a work in progress. It was never built to stand still, and together we will keep building a Union ready for the next forty years.”
The King of Spain, Felipe VI, underlined the country’s transformation after forty years of EU membership and said that “never as in these dark times, has the idea of Europe been so necessary.” King Felipe VI affirmed that continuing to work on Europe’s defence, on the EU’s strategic autonomy, and on the reinforcement of the European pillar within the Atlantic alliance, is “cannot be postponed”. Preserving a transatlantic link based on respect and loyalty is also a must, since without it “we would be bound to a more uncertain, more unstable and more dangerous world”.
King Felipe started his address thanking, on behalf of all Spanish people, the expressions of affection received in the wake of the train disaster in Adamuz. He went on to review how Spain has changed over the past four decades and how it has contributed to change and growth in Europe. He described the EU as “a project of coexistence that has made us all freer, more prosperous, and even stronger”, and warned that any phenomenon that affects one part of the EU affects us all, underlining that “our strength is our unity”.
Portugal’s President, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, highlighted the benefits of joining the European Union for his country, as well as the importance of international alliances and partnerships to solve global problems.
“There is no one today who can remake by force the division of hemispheres from the past and control their hemisphere, or solve universal problems on their own,” said the President of the Republic of Portugal.
European integration, which culminated for Portugal 40 years ago in the accession of the country to the European Communities, ‘has changed the history’ of Europe and Portugal, he said. “We have one of the largest markets in the world. We guarantee living conditions that are comparatively higher than in most states. We are a destination dreamed of by so many, from all continents,” he added.
President Rebelo de Sousa concluded his speech by saying “we Portuguese will never, ever give up on Europe. Because giving up on Europe would mean, for Portugal, giving up on an essential and irreplaceable part of Portugal”. .”
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