The President of the Republic travels to Strasbourg and Brussels, from 3 to 5 September, for an Official Visit to the European Parliament and to the European Commission, at the invitation of the respective Heads, Speaker Hans-Gert Pöttering and President José Manuel Durão Barroso. This Visit stages the beginning of the second phase of the Portuguese Presidency of the Council of the European Union, after the August holiday period.

The Visit to the European Parliament includes a Ceremonial Session during which the President of the Republic will deliver a speech in the plenary meeting of that Institution, in which he will refer to some of the main challenges which are faced by the European Union. The agenda also includes contacts with the Portuguese MEPs and with the Portuguese staff in the European Parliament.

The Strasbourg programme includes a visit to the City Hall, where the Mayor, Senator Fabienne Keller will award the City’s Medal of Honour to the President of the Republic.

On September 5, the President of the Republic visits the headquarters of the European Commission, where he will hold a meeting with President Durão Barroso, to be followed by a working lunch with the College of Commissioners. In both occasions the most relevant issues included in the European agenda will be discussed, specifically as to the actions and initiatives that the European Commission is in the process of promoting.

While in Brussels, the President of the Republic will also have the opportunity to meet with the Portuguese staff in the European Institutions.