Spain’s King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia wrap up visit to Portugal

Spain’s King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia began their introductory tour of Spain’s neighboring countries in Portugal on Monday, and in Lisbon had the opportunity to confirm not only the excellent relations between the two nations, but also their determination to face the challenges of the future together.

Two years after their last visit to the country, then as the prince and princess of Asturias, Felipe VI and his wife were again made aware of the esteem and respect with which Portuguese institutions and society regard them, and which honored them with a lunch at Queluz Palace with 100 guests whose table talk went on much longer than expected.

Portuguese President Anibal Cavaco Silva and his wife acted as hosts throughout the visit, so that in the morning while the Portuguese leader met with King Felipe in his office in Belem Palace, his wife and Queen Letizia were speaking with the president of the Portuguese federation of rare diseases.

From the meeting with Cavaco came a statement by the Spanish monarch to the press, the first he has made without entering into a speech since June 19 when his reign began, in which he spoke of working “shoulder to shoulder” with Portugal to deal with the challenges facing both countries in 21st century.

Cavaco said that SpanishPortuguese relations “were never so intense nor so diversified,” ratified his commitment to continue on the same path, and advocated taking advantage of their ties to promote their common interests in such areas as the EU.

This shared strategy toward Europe was coincidentally the point of speeches that Felipe VI and Cavaco gave at the toast before the luncheon of honor at Queluz Palace, outside of Lisbon.

The Spanish king said that for the two nations, the EU is “an inescapable geopolitical and economic necessity,” which sustains their “national projects” and contributes to the progress and wellbeing of their societies.

“The excellent understanding between our two countries, besides the obvious bilateral advantages that both receive, must be exploited to strengthen our positions and take advantage of our potential,” the Portuguese president said.

Memories of his threeday trip in 2012 were present during this visit, as was King Felipe’s gratitude for the welcome Portugal gave his grandparents during their exile in Estoril, without forgetting that his father, Juan Carlos I, spent part of his infancy there and that during his reign, he maintained that personal connection.

“A natural, human and also political relationship, full of partnership, understanding and respect that I want to keep cultivating during my reign to strengthen even more those solid ties of affection and closeness,” Felipe VI said.

Cavaco Silva also referred to the “legacy” of previous Spanish kings and expressed gratitude for their contributions toward improving SpanishPortuguese relations.