The President of the European Council, António Costa, will travel to Barcelona, Spain on 5 and 6 May 2025 to meet with regional leaders and visit key industrial and research infrastructures in the areas of the automotive sector, artificial intelligence (AI) and innovation.
The visit highlights the important role played by European regions such as Catalonia in further advancing European integration and contributing to the EU’s strategic priorities. It also reflects EU’s continued commitment to enhancing Europe’s industrial capabilities, promoting innovation and competitiveness, and supporting the twin green and digital transition.
| “Europe is at a critical crossroads. In an era defined by geopolitical disruption, technological change and climate challenges, our response must be both bold and united. Innovation is the cornerstone of Europe’s competitiveness on the global stage. I look forward to my visit to Barcelona and to seeing first-hand what the EU can achieve by investing in innovative solutions and strategic industrial developments. This is how we can secure a stronger, more prosperous and resilient Europe for generations to come.” |
| — António Costa, President of the European Council |
The visit to Barcelona will begin with a tour of the SEAT factory, a key hub for Spain car manufacturing industry and an important contributor to the EU’s industrial and green transition to a cleaner automotive future. There, the President will have the opportunity to meet with the acting CEO of the company and learn more about its crucial role in the shift to zero-emission vehicles.
The President will then deliver a speech at the Cercle d’Economia, an independent civic organisation founded in 1958. By bringing together business, academia and administration, its goal is to shape public discourse on the main challenges and opportunities of economic, social and political progress. The President will address the Cercle’s annual meeting focusing on the EU’s response in a time of geopolitical disruption.
Throughout the visit, President Costa will have the opportunity to meet with regional leaders, including the President of the Government of Catalonia, Salvador Illa i Roca, to exchange on the most pressing European and local issues and the role of Catalonia as one of the most economically vibrant and industrialized regions in Southern Europe.
President Costa will also visit the Barcelona Supercomputing Centre (BSC) and Synchrotron ALBA, two leading research institutions driving forward Europe’s ambitions in digital innovation and AI development. These institutions are leading efforts in high-performance computing and advanced materials research, which are central to the EU’s broader agenda of research and technological leadership.
Press opportunities
President Costa will hold two press points to brief the press after visiting the SEAT and BSC facilities. The journalists and media representatives interested in attending must register by sending an email to the addresses below indicating their full name, the media organisation they work for, and their ID number.
Monday 5 May at 18:15
SEAT, Entrada Norte
Autovía A-2, Km. 585
08760 Martorell
Christian Keller Estalrich, International Corporate Communications
christian.keller@seat.es
Tuesday 6 May at 16:00
Barcelona Supercomputing Centre (BSC)
Plaça d’Eusebi Güell 1-3
Les Corts, Barcelona
Núria Noriega Esteban, Head of Communications
nuria.noriega@bsc.es
Videos and photos of the visits will be available in the Council newsroom.