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Honourable President

Allow me first to thank you, for the very touching and kind words which you have seen fit to say, and to express, in my wife’s name and my own, and in that of all the retinue which accompanies us, our deep appreciation for the very friendly and fraternal reception we have had in the Community of Asturias.

This is the first Spanish Community that I visit since my investiture as President of the Portuguese Republic.

It is for me a great honour to visit the Principality of the future King of Spain and birthplace of HRH Princess Letizia, They were the bearers of the invitation that HM King Juan Carlos sent me to visit Spain.

The Community of Asturias, justifiably proud of its rich historical heritage, is an example of the extraordinary evolution through which our two countries have come through in the last few years. The development which can be seen at each step, the notable improvement in the living condition of its population, the extraordinary dynamics of its civic and cultural life are the best picture of the well known qualities of the people of Asturias.

All this exists together with extraordinarily beautiful landscapes and admirable signs of cultural and architectural riches, from pre Roman art, legitimately recognized as Human heritage, to the outstanding Gothic style of the Oviedo Cathedral which, tomorrow, I shall have the chance to visit.

I must underline, in this context, how important the Prince of Asturias Foundation is in the promotion and dissemination of this Community and its heritage.

And it is very satisfying to note the contribution that my countrymen gave and continue to give towards the progress of this Community, be it through their work or though large financial investments.

Portugal is today the fourth customer of the Asturias and one of the bigger investors in this region. A reality that is known to few in my country.

Already today I have had the opportunity to visit that which is the largest Portuguese investment in the whole of Spain. It is with considerable pleasure that I view the consolidation of a project which joins Spaniards and Portuguese with a stake in the future. This is an example which must be followed, not only in the entrepreneurial area but in fields as fundamental as education and technological research. Fields in which our capacity to take advantage of the opportunities that the globalization process offers is being exerted.

Honourable President

I know that the system of education and training in Asturias is one of the props of regional development. The Asturias is, as well, an example of exertion in technological research and innovation, essential components to win in the global market which is being forced upon us all.

Such dynamics and spirit of innovation are present, not only in large companies, but also in a great number of small and medium sized enterprises, which represent an important part of the entrepreneurial background of Asturias.

This is also an area in which it is urgent to develop strategic partnerships between Portugal and Asturias, bringing together enterprises, Universities and Research Institutions. Accompanying me in my retinue is a group of young scientists and representatives of small and medium sized enterprises with a high technological value. I wanted them to become acquainted with this land and with its immense potential. And I hope, sincerely, that from this contact, new and more ambitious partnerships will arise.

In a land of so many artists I also wished to make known Portuguese creativity, and included in my retinue a young painter and sculptor, Adriana Molder, thus permitting the view of an image of the quality and modernism of artistic production in my country.

Honourable President

With this visit I sincerely hope to contribute to providing the Portuguese and the people of Asturias with a more informed view of their respective realities So that they become better acquainted. So that they ascertain the much that can be jointly performed..

I am now inviting the people of Asturias to visit Portugal. I assure, although it may not be easy, that we will do all in our power so that they feel as much at home there, as we have felt in this beautiful, vibrant and cherished land of Asturias.

Thank you very much