The king calls for reacting « with wisdom, vigor and boldness » in the face of the threats that loom over Europe | Spain

The King, Felipe VIthe Cotec forum, a space for innovation and reflection of European values ​​between Portugal, Spain and Italy and of which this year its 20th anniversary is closed on Wednesday. « Wisdom has built this strength: books are captains; work, soldiers and weapons, » said the king in relation to a Latin inscription that reads in the Joanina Library of the University of Coimbra, a lusa city where this edition has been held – and who invited the King Honoris Dr.

« In the current context, these words not only maintain their symbolic strength, but also acquire a very relevant meaning for the times we live. They are directly questioning as European citizens in the face of the challenges of the present, » said Felipe VI in a forum in which there has been talk of security and defense, But also, as usual, of innovationof artificial intelligence (AI), of supercomputing, aerospace and defense, life and health sciences, semiconductors …

This edition, whose host has been the Portuguese president – and Felipe VI’s great personal friend, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, He has dealt with a “call to action”, as his motto, Europeans, in the face of threats and challenges that for a few years have ravaged the Old Continent and the Community Project, says.

« We need knowledge not only to develop technology, new ways of organizing and other modalities of innovation, but, to protect everything we have achieved together in recent decades: a lasting peace, an open and diversified economy, a space of democracy and freedoms and a solid alliance to deal with the great economic, social and environmental challenges … », Felipe VI said who has warned that the previous set does not react in time « with wisdom, vigor and boldness. »

Hours before, on Tuesday afternoon, the king was invested in that same scenario Doctor Honoris Causa by the University of Coimbra, the first of Portugal and comparable to centenary institutions such as the Spanish of Salamanca, Alcalá (of which he is also Doctor Honoris Causa) or Santiago de Compostela; or, the Italians of Bologna, Padua or Naples. The latter also invised you With this badge on his state trip to the Mediterranean country in December 2024.

Last night, the king received the award excitedly in the presence of rebelus of Sousa, with whom he maintains a very close relationship, and Matella. They were addressed to say that the three countries they represent are united by three elements: « the sea, law and Europe. »

« We started » the three countries « from the understanding of the sea as an opportunity for relationship and openness, » the king continued to remember explorers such as Christopher Columbus, Basque of range or Polo Marco. In addition, Felipe VI recalled that Europe « is the daughter of Roman law (…) as well as the spirit of reconciliation and overcoming Europeans after the devastating world contests. »

In this sense, Felipe VI warned that the community project, « born of consensus and solidarity », is no stranger to today’s evils, whether they are of external origin or come from the « entrails » of the union itself. And that is why the king defended the « need » to advance in a Europe of security and defense. « It is a challenge that we must assume in an exercise of responsibility and memory (…) to defend ours, » he concluded.