Society

The King of the Belgians states that Porto has developed "stunning technologic wonders"

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Their Majesties, the King and the Queen of the Belgians have visited Porto in the context of a State Visit to Portugal. Their entourage included entrepreneurs, business people, and academics. The visit of the Kings of the Belgians to Porto has strengthened the profound historical connection between the city of Porto and Belgium, which go back to the middle Ages and the Flanders trade relations.

The Mayor of Porto, Rui Moreira has highlighted Porto's "weathering of the storm" and the thriving environment the city is experiencing in several urban areas in town, from east to west Porto, in such domains as culture, startups, creative industries, foreign investment procurement, which "are key factors to making the city of Porto really attractive and pleasant to domestic and foreign citizens".

Philippe of the Belgians, in turn, spared no compliments to Porto and was amazed at a city "that from the ancient Roman settlement of "Portus Cale", has developed into the flourishing and dynamic city of today. Its epithet of "Invicta" - the unvanquished city - speaks for itself".

Rui Moreira also noted that flying to Porto to other parts of the world is very easy as Porto Airport is a significant airport when it comes to traffic routes, which have been increasing these past years with many flagship companies and low costs operating regular flights to and from Porto.

Also, the Mayor of Porto recalled the significant number of Belgium citizens travelling to Porto for business reasons and to study at Porto University, one of the best ranked universities both at national and at international level.

During the visit of Their Majesties to Porto at the Palacio da Bolsa, King Philippe stated that "we will meet business people who represent ancient and sacred traditions in winemaking and agriculture, as well as highly contemporary companies active in new sectors, such as e-commerce, renewable energy and software. And this afternoon, at UPTEC, we will see how a hundred years' old university laid a solid basis for the stunning technologic wonders which are developed there today".

Rui Moreira, the Mayor of Porto concluded by saying that "I sincerely hope that the new generations continue building the European dream, with no borders and acknowledging the relevance of cultural diversity that makes up for the European continent".